A slavish concern for the composition of words is the sign of a bankrupt intellect, roared the Humbug, waving his cane furiously.

The Humbug dismisses close attention to words using an elaborate verbal accusation of his own. The reported roar and furious gesture intensify the claim without proving it. The passage puts a sweeping judgment about language beside a conspicuously forceful way of expressing that judgment.

Context reviewed 28 September 2026