Reference is made to the article entitled “Erectile dysfunction drug importer has hard time with Maltese translation of penis” by David Lindsay (TMIS 28 May).

May I point out to all concerned that the original word in Maltese for this organ is “gherq”. This terminology can be found in various old documents; indeed the famous mushroom called “gherq tal-general” or “gherq sinjur” is named so because of its resemblance to the penis.

Justin Vassallo

MOSTA