1. Gathering Steam By Maria Antonova Staff Writer Vladimir Filonov / MT Marina Lebedinskaya stops by the black L–series engine, also known by the nickname "Lebedyanka" and inhales.

2. But while Scunthorpe understandably becomes "S××××horpe", and Blackpool (a tad unnecessarily, to our mind) as "Black×××l", it seems "entitled", "parse" and even the unspeakable "Saturday" survive intact.

3. Many readers, meanwhile, derive considerable amusement from speculating about which fine placenames might, like Black×××l and S××××horpe, be deemed offensive by the automatic filtering software employed by Amicus for its enthralling internet discussion forums (see yesterday‘s Diary). And yes, we too can imagine that Penistown, which several of you assure us is situated midway between Barnsley and Huddersfield, or alternatively in Pennsylvania, might do the trick.

4. Thankfully, almost as many seized the opportunity to mention a few other fine placenames likely to offend Amicus‘s fiendishly efficient filtering software (which, you‘ll recall, prefers S××××horpe to Scunthorpe and Black×××l to Blackpool). So here we go, and then let that be an end to it: there‘s Fugit (Kentucky), Titlis (Switzerland) and Muff (County Donegal). Also Onancock (Virginia), Butztown (Pennsylvania), Prickwillow (Cambs) and Gofuku (Japan). Or even Cockermouth (Cumbria), Climax (Missouri), Mary‘s Inlet (Florida) and Ecumsecum (Nova Scotia). Though our personal favourite, of course, remains Queensland‘s Mount Mee.