Madam,

The word ‘paedophile’ is in the main headline of the Cambrian News Aberystwyth edition of 18 October (‘Paedophile slurs land man in court’).

This word (from Greek) literally means ‘child lover’. Compare ‘bibliophile (from Greek) meaning ‘book lover’ and ‘pyromaniac (from Greek) meaning ‘fire maniac’.

A ‘pyromaniac’ abuses or misuses fire. Therefore, someone who misuses or abused children is really a ‘paedomaniac’ not a ‘paedophile’.

Yours etc,

William Baxter, Pier Street, Aberystwyth.

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