Time for ‘Diva’ to Retire

Enough with the “diva” word. Not all solo female acts are divas, nor do they have to be divas four times in one story, Robert Hilburn’s review of Whitney Houston (“The Diva in Check,” July 31).

It’s time to hammer another word to death. I almost long for the old hackneyed “superstar.” Copy editors, are you reading this?

BARBARA MARCUS

Beverly Hills