Gnomophobia

Pop superstar Elton John says "gnomophobia" is partly to blame for the delay in getting his animated film, "Gnomeo and Juliet," brought to life.

“It’s good to confront the received wisdom that all gnomes are nasty,” Mr. Llewelyn-Bowen said. Referring to his wife, he added: “Also, Jackie has had to overcome her poshness and confront her gnomophobia.”

As for me, I’m a fence sitter. The little red-shirted men sitting with fishing poles beside ponds are — ouch — insufferably cute. Yet I also think there is way too much snobbery in gardening. So if our gnomophobia is waning, that’s surely a good thing.