The word “boffin” is unhelpful, stereotypical, inaccurate, outdated and cliched according to the Institute of Physics, which has issued a call asking the media to stop using the word.

The organisation has in particular written to the editors of The Sun, Mirror and Star titles saying that an end to the “catch-all” term could create a more rounded and accurate picture of scientists and other experts – who are not, despite what many people think the word means.

But the Star has fought back, splashing on its opposition to the campaign and saying “the mega-brainiacs have got this one badly wrong”.