STRIDENT?

What I found extraordinary in your review of “Pythagoras’ Trousers” by Margaret Wertheim (Feb. 18) is your opinion that the word “extraordinary” is strident. Given the fact that no woman has received the Nobel Prize for physics in the last 30 years, it seems an even stronger word might have been warranted. Could it be a case of your reaching for the classic, and often highly effective, sexist put-down?

I know, don’t tell me: I’m being strident.

RITA BINGHAM, SAN CLEMENTE