I REALLY enjoyed Ada Gibson's recollections about tripe (Letters, June 23) and, as I am about seven years her senior, I may be permitted to comment on her reference to 'aliker.'

Chip shops when I was tiny had not only vinegar but aliker onthe counter.

I was taught to brew my own beer by a man whose family were brewer's sundriesmen.

From him, I learned that the original British drink was 'ale,' made from malt only and fermented.

Little boys drank what was 'small' or ale which had been 'mashed' more then twice.

The suffix 'gar' must have meant 'the souring of' - hence 'aliker' (alegar).

He taught me that when the Flemish added hops to English ale it was then known as 'beer.'

It can be understood, therefore, that vinegar must have meant the souring of wine or 'Vine.'

Probably the origin of the label would have been 'pure malt and wine gar.'

CHARLES CHARNOCK, Cemetery Road, Darwen.

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