Whenever reader Charles Pope dines with his wife, Robin, he’s on alert. The issue is mustard, or more, Robin’s mustard allergy. “To be safe,” says Charles, “we’ll ask the waiter if a certain dish contains mustard. Without exception, the response is ‘I’ll double-check’.”

Just as reliably, Charles is tempted to say thanks, but one check will do. Lately, however, he’s learnt to hold his tongue. Largely thanks to Robin’s gentle kicks under the table, her bid to keep her man in check. A single check.

Word watchers, pedants after my own heart, won’t let Meghan’s “elevate” slide.Credit: Netflix

Playing umpire in this scenario, I side with both diners, plus the waiter. Either the employee’s pledge is a fib, a means of saving face, since we all know the waiter will be checking the meal’s ingredients for the first time. Or it’s the truth, implying a mental lapse where the waiter needs to confirm the sauce he’d........

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