Stationary and stationery

Last Sunday I caught a train to visit my dear old mum (contrary to what many writers believe subs do have mums too) and noticed a sign warning against use the toilet "while the the train is stationery". An enjoyable mistake in the circumstances, bringing to mind images of trains changing into piles of envelopes (which would indeed become soggy if used as a toilet).

But it's faintly depressing that a major company could produce a printed poster with a schoolboy howler.

In case you hadn't come across the dodge for remembering when stationary becomes stationery, simply remember e for envelope. It worked for me, possibly because the teacher who passed on the tip reinforced it with an accurately thrown blackboard duster. If only JD and I could do likewise with the writers in our care.