MCDONALDS is to petition to have the term "McJob" removed from the Oxford English Dictionary where it is defined as "an un-stimulating, low-paid job with few prospects, especially one created by the expansion of the service sector".

This is considered "derogatory" to its employees.

This has seemingly attracted the support of an MP, backed by 15 others, who has tabled a parliamentary motion claiming that "McJob" no longer reflects work in today's service sector.

I suspect that censorship, by petition or otherwise, would surely not prevent the widespread use of this term, popularly adopted through broad perception of the masses.

As a precedent, dictionaries contain many words that have historically been applied in a derogatory manner to groups beyond their original meaning and time; thugs, vandals, hooligans, luddites etc. Our language would surely be poorer without these popular terms.

Surely McDonalds can think of better ways to use resources than canvassing 40 UK towns and cities for signatures.

If not, I'd suggest a campaign of clearing up discarded excessive packaging along the roadsides, within five miles of any drivethrough outlet, might be better received and do more to improve corporate image.

David Reynolds, Shildon.