TV is a barometer of how times change.

In the ’80s Ronnie Corbett starred as Timothy in a comedy called Sorry! in which his dad would reprimand him for language few people today would find mildly offensive.

Instead, today, we have the likes of Gordon Ramsey attracting some viewers in the hope that he may turn the air blue. And there has been the colourful character of Malcolm Tucker in The Thick Of It – said to mirror real-life politics – whose flair for swearing is regarded by fans as impressive.

The problem today, where language once judged vulgar is commonplace, is when, if ever, it is acceptable to swear.

Bournemouth Council’s chief executive, it seems, used what the authority wonderfully describes as “casual language” during a staff briefing session.

Times are changing but a staff briefing session seems an odd place in which to explore the richness of English.

There is one occasion when swearing in public may be regarded as acceptable. That is in a council car park on finding a ticket on your windscreen.