ÐÓ°ÉÔ­´´

Why is stainless steel, er, stainless?

(Continued)

• In an answer in The Last Word (7 January), a writer suggested that stainless steel is a misnomer because it can be stained. My late colleague Don McCallum maintained it is so-called because it stains less than other steel.

Bruce Denness, Whitwell, Isle of Wight, UK

We pay £25 for every answer published in New ÐÓ°ÉÔ­´´. To answer this question – or ask a new one – email lastword@newscientist.com. Terms and conditions apply.

Please keep your answers concise and include a postal address in order to receive payment for answers, and a daytime telephone number and email address if you have one. We reserve the right to edit items for clarity and style.

ÐÓ°ÉÔ­´´ reserves all rights to reuse question and answer material that has been submitted by readers in any medium or in any format.

You can also submit answers by post to: The Last Word, New ÐÓ°ÉÔ­´´, 110 High Holborn, London WC1V 6EU, UK.