Don Gamary writes: "There is a need for words that married people can call their mothers- and fathers-in-law. 'Mr ...' and 'Mrs. ...' are too formal, and 'Mom' and 'Dad' can sound strange and uncomfortable."

Other Word Fugitives correspondents have identified similar lacks in our language. For extra-credit points, here are their letters.

In May we posted the following letter, by Herb Bohler, of Flemington, N.J.:

"With a son preparing to marry, I've been groping for a word or term for the parents of the (soon-to-be) bride. Eventually it will be 'my daughter-in-law's mother/father' -- but there's gotta be a less-clumsy way of referring to these folks."

Recently Alison Landes Fiekowsky, of Wynnewood, Pa., renewed the call for a word to serve this purpose:

"I think there should be a word for the relationship between a married couples' parents. There should be a word my mother can use when she is referring to my husband's mother. 'My son-in-law's mother' is awkward."

And another word, or pair of words, being sought, by Oswaldo Hernandez, of Queens, N.Y.:

"There are two words in the Spanish language to describe the relationship between a godchild's parents and the godparents. The words are 'compadre,' for the males, and 'comadre,' for the females. Are there such words in the English language?"