I'm looking at a Google Nexus 7 but am put off by the lack of a memory expansion slot.

Could I use a micro USB to USB female lead with a standard USB stick?

This would be cheaper and, using a number of USB sticks, make the memory technically infinite.

No, you can't use a standard USB cable you need an "OTG" one. They are very cheap though

See: http://www.amazon.co.uk/aLLreli%C2%A.../dp/B0064GZAIQ

or http://www.amazon.co.uk/MOFRED%C2%AE...cp_computers_0

Also, if you want to import files from a USB drive you need the Nexus Media Importer app: https://play.google.com/store/apps/d...ususb.importer

I have found that most USB sticks and SD card readers work with the Nexus but I've seen a few which aren't recognised.

Just be aware that the Nexus media importer is read only, if you want to be able to read and write to OTG devices then you will need to root the nexus 7. Pretty simple to do.

I wouldn't want to export from the Nexus tablet, just use USB as extra storage when I go on holiday.

No idea what rooting is!

All your apps run using a restricted ID on android to increase security and reliability. By rooting the device it bypasses this restriction allowing full admin access. Its comparable to when Windows prompts you when a programs needs to make a admin change. Its useful if you need full access to the storage (for example to backup the device) or kill apps that you don't want running.

There are a couple of dangers with rooting, it could allow rouge apps admin access to your system and there are some programs (things like banking apps) which won't run on rooted systems.