NICK Fletcher asked why a child is called a "bairn" in Yorkshire.

All he had to do was check the Oxford Dictionary (you can get them quite cheaply at most charity shops) where the origin and use is quite clearly explained ie one who has been born or borne (womb or arms).

K Barnes,

North View,

Catterton, Tadcaster.

Updated: 11:12 Saturday, November 12, 2005