Bookworm,
So what phraseology would you prefer when you put me on a heading without giving any explanation and I need to understand what you're planning?
In the London area, "thank you for putting me on this heading which will ensure I don't hold up all the much bigger and much faster traffic too much whilst also ensuring I safely reach my intended destination" (and if you're in the Mooney all free of charge as well)
Anyone is entitled to ask what their number in the sequence is inbound to Gatwick or Heathrow, it'll be....last. Only joking, only joking
BOAC, inbound Gatwick, unless extending the vectoring instead of going once round the hold, it's only required to give track miles on first descent from flight level to altitude (same at Heathrow).
Assuming time available, and there usually should be, would you like a check further back e.g. leave LARCK heading 270 degress, forty miles to go". Would only be a rough guide, more accurate at descent point mentioned above.
WF.