I've just been reading an article that claims some people get uptight about the use of exclamation marks! Apparently, it is vulgar - and used all to often by the kind of people who laugh at their own jokes!

Well, somebody important must have invented them back in the mists of time. For a very important purpose, as they saw it. Even if it was to make themselves laugh uproariously at their own wit! And enough people thought it was a clever enough idea to keep using it. So, nah nah nah, Mr and Mrs Snooty - if it was good enough for Lord (or Lady) Vulgar Ha Ha!, it should be good enough for me.

On the other hand, I've no wish to come across as Vulgar Vera, so perhaps I'd better go and read up on the whys and wherefores of exclaiming.

But I am still gonna laugh at my own jokes, cos no-one else does. !.