[1] As a mature student he qualified as a teacher in 1961, then gained a BA (Hons) degree in English at University College London.
This was followed by an MA in Linguistics from Stockholm University, Sweden, where he taught English language and literature.
He subsequently became a producer of educational radio and television programmes for the BBC, remaining there for 20 years.
In 1970 he developed a spare time interest in onomatology, the study of proper names.
He has lived since 1971 in Thames Ditton, Surrey, with his French wife, Nicole (née Tripet).