In my diary notes of July 25, I referred to a query from a Bedale reader who asked if I had come across the word slape as a type of cheap beer.

I thought I had not. However, by chance I was checking some of my notes way back in October 2001 when I realised I had previously referred to this word – and forgotten all about it.

In that 2001 column, I referred to a helpful letter from a Bedale reader who had worked in Leeds. He told me that slape was widely used in Leeds and referred to the practice of selling slops or overflow from the beer pumps which accumulated in containers situated at the bar. This beer was sold cheaply to the less wealthy customers, or even given away to some worthy drinkers. He told me the term was also used for drinks scrounged or tricked from gullible customers.

He thought the term slape may have come from slop.