How can I delete or hids the evidence of my browsing as in the
drop-down list under the Google bar where I enter what I wish to
search for. I want to know simply because it embarasses me for others
to see the dress sizes I have searched for. Please help me - I am a
silver- surfer (what a nice way to say I am old) !

Hello jmb-ga,

Thank you for your question.


The following article on Search Engine Watch explains how to delete
words from the drop down list of past searches:


“For example, I had one reader who looked up the word "sex" on Google.
She was then concerned that when she went back to Google, this word
appeared in her past searches list. That means anyone using her
computer would see that this was something she'd searched for.”

(..)

Fortunately, deleting your past searches is easily done. 

“Click once in the Google search box and get a "drop down" box to
appear, listing all the things you've searched for in the past at
Google. (Alternatively, you can start typing a query, and you'll be
shown any queries that contain the first letters that you've typed.)

Now let's say in the drop down list of past searches is a particular
query that you want to remove. Use the arrow keys on your computer
keyboard to highlight the particular entry. Alternatively, highlight
the entry using your mouse but don't click on it! Next, once the entry
has been highlighted, push the "Delete" button on your computer
keyword. The entry should disappear.”

Search Engine Watch: January 7, 2003  
http://www.searchenginewatch.com/sereport/article.php/2165181


In addition Internet Explorer an AutoComplete feature which saves
previous searches.

You can clear the search history by clicking "Tools > Options", the
"Content" tab, the "AutoComplete" button and then click "Clear Forms"

Source: All The Web
http://www.alltheweb.com/help/faqs/web_search.html#7



The Google Toolbar FAQ explains how to delete previous searches if you
are using the Google Tool Bar.
  
- Click on the Google logo to access the drop down menu.   
  
- Choose the Clear Search History option. This will clear all the 
previous searches out of the drop down box. 
  
Note: this clears your Toolbar's search history, which is different 
from clearing your browser's search history. To clear your Internet 
Explorer browser's history: 
   
- Click the browser's Tools menu.   
- Select Internet Options... (the last entry in the list).   
- Click the General tab.   
- Click the Clear History button. To completely disable the history 
function, change the "Days to keep pages in history" to 0 (zero.) 
  
Source: Google Toolbar FAQ  
http://toolbar.google.com/faq.html#history  


Search criteria:  
Deleting previous searches
Google toolbar FAQ
Remove past Google searches 
Google toolbar  
Delete past Google searches 


I hope you find this helpful and if anything is not clear please let
me know in order to further assist you.


Best regards, 
Bobbie7-ga

Thanks ! Your answers were both simple and explanatory. To someone who
has spent months trying to solve a problem (although it may seem very
easy to experts) your clear answer was the end of a head-ache!