Reader Stephen Lavelle sends a link to this choice compendium of wicked excerpts from referee reports for a science journal; a few examples:

The writing and data presentation are so bad that I had to leave work and go home early and then spend time to wonder what life is about.

I suppose that I should be happy that I don’t have to spend a lot of time reviewing this dreadful paper; however I am depressed that people are performing such bad science.

The biggest problem with this manuscript, which has nearly sucked the will to live out of me, is the terrible writing style.

I agreed to review this Ms whilst answering e-mails in the golden glow of a balmy evening on the terrace of our holiday hotel on Lake Como. Back in the harsh light of reality in Belfast I realize that it’s just on the limit of my comfort zone and that it would probably have been better not to have volunteered.