How to delete edges and verts?

[Caldwell]

I just wanted to know how I can delete the verts associated with an edge. This is really annoying. Is there a quick script that will allow me to delete the verts associated with an edge? do i really need a third party plugin in to make this work? I have tried backspace, but it only deletes the edges not the verts. Any suggestions.

[imhooks]

Hold down ctrl while clicking 'remove' in edge mode. Not sure if you hold down ctrl while backspace works the same, but thats how.

[CADTomato]

Both hitting the "ctrl" key when you hit the remove button and Ctrl-Backspace will delete the edge and related verts.