I know that in recent times the media have used the verb "groom" for the process of gradual winning of trust that paedophiles carry out when preparing their victims, but the first thing I think of is of somebody preparing a horse for the day's work or for a show. Brushing the mane, currycombing the coat. I might also think of a poodle being clipped, of a man trimming his moustache, then maybe some metaphorical grooming of a promising employee for a management role, or of a singer (by his agent or record company) for chart success, or a junior politician for a front bench role. The "dodgy" connotations of this very old and well established respectable word come a long way down the list. What is the matter with people nowadays? Is it ignorance? Should we blame the education system?