I hope that … our Ambassadors and Agents abroad will be asked to bear in mind the strain on the cyphering departments and those who have to read their messages. The number and length of messages sent by a diplomatist are no measure of his efficiency.

Thus wrote Winston Churchill in 1940, before signing off with a hand-written “Forgive this cry of pain”. He would have despaired in the age of email.

I came across this gem in the blog of the UK’s National Archives. It’s one of several, similar notes from Churchill calling for brevity, clearer thinking and an avoidance of jargon and woolly phrases.

The post is, here.

Image: PA