In a recent public announcement to more than 1,500 cruise ship passengers (I was one of them) the captain spoke of the Army Corpse of Engineers so my mind immediately went to many a consular corps that’s also been called a “corpse” although it’s a living, active group of consuls.

The corpse of a consul could be found when that poor soul has died, but when he’s a living, breathing, functioning consul – in a career or honorary position makes no difference – he’s also a member of a consular corps in the city where the consulate is located.

When I first mentioned this in my book someone told me nobody makes the mistake between a corpse and a corps anymore. I beg to differ, as I keep hearing these references to the dead body. Then I want to shout, “Long live the Consular Corps!”