I do Timothy E. Parker’s crossword puzzle in the Globe almost every day. At least, I try to complete it. On Tuesday I was very upset that he gave, as a clue for 33 across, “Mentally unbalanced.’’ The three-letter answer was “mad.’’

Dogs are mad maybe. People are not. That word went out with the dark ages; I find this definition to be hurtful and in poor taste.

S. Radonsky

Newton