An average English word is four letters and a half. By…
“An average English word is four letters and a half. By hard, honest labor I've dug all the large words out of my vocabulary and shaved it down till the average is three and a half... I never write metropolis for seven cents, because I can get the same money for city. I never write policeman, because I can get the same price for cop… I never write valetudinarian at all, for not even hunger and wretchedness can humble me to the point where I will do a word like that for seven cents; I wouldn't do it for fifteen.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
The author reduces word length to maximize earnings, highlighting the absurdity of valuing words by cost rather than meaning.
In simple terms: Shorter words earn more money.
Key Takeaway
Value meaning over monetary gain.
Themes
economics
language
efficiency
artistry
humor
Mood
witty
critical
Type
literary
philosophical
When to use this quote
- writing
- editing
- publishing
- budget constraints
Key Concepts
word length
pricing
literary craft
Questions to Reflect On
- Do you prioritize brevity over depth?
- How does market pressure affect your writing?
A Different Perspective
Focusing on profit can diminish artistic quality.