--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Professor Lyall puffed out his cheeks in…" description: "\"“Professor Lyall puffed out his cheeks in exasperation. It was like trying to have a conversation with a distracted and very soggy scone. Every time he..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d03/gail-carriger-1051_quote_professor-lyall-puffed-out-his-cheeks-in_1054122.jpg" --- # Professor Lyall puffed out his cheeks in exasperation. It… ![“Professor Lyall puffed out his cheeks in exasperation. It was like trying to have a conversation with a distracted and very soggy scone. Every time he pushed in one direction the earl either oozed or crumbled.” quote by Gail Carriger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d03/gail-carriger-1051_quote_professor-lyall-puffed-out-his-cheeks-in_1054122.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d03/gail-carriger-1051_quote_professor-lyall-puffed-out-his-cheeks-in_1054122.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d03/gail-carriger-1051_quote_professor-lyall-puffed-out-his-cheeks-in_1054122.jpg) > ““Professor Lyall puffed out his cheeks in exasperation. It was like trying to have a conversation with a distracted and very soggy scone. Every time he pushed in one direction the earl either oozed or crumbled.”” [Gail Carriger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gail-carriger/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The passage humorously describes how trying to communicate with someone who is scattered and unfocused leads to confusing, unproductive outcomes. **In simple terms:** Talking to a distracted person feels chaotic and unproductive. Key Takeaway Focus on clear, attentive communication. Themes communication distraction humor Mood frustrated amused Type satirical observational. When to use this quote - team meetings - customer service - classroom discussions - online chats Key Concepts scatterbrain misunderstanding ineffective dialogue Questions to Reflect On - How can you keep someone's attention during a conversation? - What strategies help maintain focus in chaotic settings? A Different Perspective If the listener is distracted, the message may still be lost despite clarity. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Earl Oozed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/earl-oozed-2538847/) [Lyall Puffed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lyall-puffed-2538846/) [Professor Lyall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/professor-lyall-1473231/) [Puffed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/puffed-275806/) [Puffed Cheeks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/puffed-cheeks-2538848/) ## Related quotes > [Professor Lyall, cursing his Alpha for departing so precipitously, balled up the piece of paper and, after minor consideration for the delicacy of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gail-carriger/professor-lyall-cursing-his-alpha-for-departing-so-precipitously/) [Gail Carriger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gail-carriger/) > [He referred to me as an 'insufferable puffed-up prat'. This is a bit rich coming from a man who actually married his own mother.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-morrissey/he-referred-to-me-as-an-insufferable-puffed-up-prat-this-is-a-bit/) [Steven Morrissey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-morrissey/) > [“I’d rather be a nothing at the center of everything than a puffed-up somebody at the edge of it all.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josiah-bancroft/i-d-rather-be-a-nothing-at-the-center-of-everything-than-a-puffed-up/) [Josiah Bancroft](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josiah-bancroft/) > [“Privately he called them a couple of puffed-up, dressed-up, made-up, stuck-up, brainless parakeets.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shirley-hughes/privately-he-called-them-a-couple-of-puffed-up-dressed-up-made-up/) [Shirley Hughes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shirley-hughes/) > [You've no fear of heights," puffed the girl. "None," I said. "I've heard that about you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kenneth-oppel/you-ve-no-fear-of-heights-puffed-the-girl-none-i-said-i-ve-heard-that/) [Kenneth Oppel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kenneth-oppel/) > [“as if he were trying to escape the smell of her words as if the air from her talking came into his mouth and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-ondaatje/as-if-he-were-trying-to-escape-the-smell-of-her-words-as-if-the-air/) [Michael Ondaatje](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-ondaatje/) > [“He didn't want to puff her up. Puffed-up women are one of the original sources of trouble in the world. If anyone knew that,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judith-merkle-riley/he-didn-t-want-to-puff-her-up-puffed-up-women-are-one-of-the-original/) [Judith Merkle Riley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judith-merkle-riley/) > [His chest is all puffed out like Raquel Walsh.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/archie-bunker/his-chest-is-all-puffed-out-like-raquel-walsh/) [Archie Bunker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/archie-bunker/) > [“He puffed out his pigeon chest and waddled across the room towards me. With his feet pointing outwards, he looked like a fat duck…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-thrall/he-puffed-out-his-pigeon-chest-and-waddled-across-the-room-towards-me/) [Chris Thrall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-thrall/) > [Then she marched to the pillows and beat them mercilessly until they lay puffed out like obedient clouds.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kristin-cashore/then-she-marched-to-the-pillows-and-beat-them-mercilessly-until-they/) [Kristin Cashore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kristin-cashore/) > [“Well, so you don't get too cocky, I myself often complete the TV Guide crossword puzzle." He puffed out his chest. "In pen.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shelly-laurenston/well-so-you-don-t-get-too-cocky-i-myself-often-complete-the-tv-guide/) [Shelly Laurenston](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shelly-laurenston/) > [“He puffed up his chest. “Me man, me need more food than tiny waif female.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samantha-young/he-puffed-up-his-chest-me-man-me-need-more-food-than-tiny-waif-female/) [Samantha Young](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samantha-young/) ## More by Gail Carriger > [“There was a pleasantness to the air and a spirit about the town that did not come from its color, but from some inner,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gail-carriger/there-was-a-pleasantness-to-the-air-and-a-spirit-about-the-town-that/) [gail carriger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gail-carriger/) > [I do not giggle without purpose. Lady Linette says you should never misapply a giggle.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gail-carriger/i-do-not-giggle-without-purpose-lady-linette-says-you-should-never/) [Gail Carriger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gail-carriger/) > [My Hallway" remarked Lord Akeldama,"Has never seen such lively action. And That, my sugarplums, is saying something!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gail-carriger/my-hallway-remarked-lord-akeldama-has-never-seen-such-lively-action/) [Gail Carriger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gail-carriger/) > [“Ball?" said one of the Pistons with interest. "We like balls." Dimity gave them her best, most haughty look. "Yes, but are you certain…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gail-carriger/ball-said-one-of-the-pistons-with-interest-we-like-balls-dimity-gave/) [Gail Carriger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gail-carriger/) > [“Goodness gracious me,' exclaimed Alexia, 'what are you wearing? It looks like the unfortunate progeny of an illicit union between a pair of binoculars…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gail-carriger/goodness-gracious-me-exclaimed-alexia-what-are-you-wearing-it-looks/) [Gail Carriger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gail-carriger/) > [“Ivy waved the wet handkerchief, as much as to say, words cannot possibly articulate my profound distress. Then, because Ivy never settled for meaningful…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gail-carriger/ivy-waved-the-wet-handkerchief-as-much-as-to-say-words-cannot/) [Gail Carriger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gail-carriger/) > [Such poopitations of the heart as you would not believe.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gail-carriger/such-poopitations-of-the-heart-as-you-would-not-believe/) [Gail Carriger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gail-carriger/) > [Lady Maccon cogitated. She would like to encourage this new spirit of social-mindedness. If Felicity needed anything in her life, it was a cause.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gail-carriger/lady-maccon-cogitated-she-would-like-to-encourage-this-new-spirit-of/) [Gail Carriger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gail-carriger/) > [Why did you want to go and distract me like that? I was quite in my element and everything.' Conall laughed. 'Someone has to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gail-carriger/why-did-you-want-to-go-and-distract-me-like-that-i-was-quite-in-my/) [Gail Carriger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gail-carriger/) > [Steampunk is...the love child of Hot Topic and a BBC costume drama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gail-carriger/steampunk-is-the-love-child-of-hot-topic-and-a-bbc-costume-drama/) [Gail Carriger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gail-carriger/) > [“She wondered if the immortal's avoidance of life's ugliness was a matter of survival or bigotry. Lord Akeldama did so love to know all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gail-carriger/she-wondered-if-the-immortal-s-avoidance-of-life-s-ugliness-was-a/) [Gail Carriger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gail-carriger/) > [“Sophronia had no idea why Felix was so intent upon her. She had not yet received lessons in seduction, or she might have understood…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gail-carriger/sophronia-had-no-idea-why-felix-was-so-intent-upon-her-she-had-not/) [Gail Carriger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gail-carriger/) > [Lord Maccon believed that if his trousers were on his legs, and something else was on his torso, he was dressed. The less done…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gail-carriger/lord-maccon-believed-that-if-his-trousers-were-on-his-legs-and/) [Gail Carriger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gail-carriger/) > [But we were talking about me and my problems." Sophronia looked Monique up and down gravely. "I don't think we're going to solve those…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gail-carriger/but-we-were-talking-about-me-and-my-problems-sophronia-looked-monique/) [Gail Carriger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gail-carriger/) > [“Nice prong," said Sophronia after a moment. Felix grinned and waggled his eyebrows lasciviously. "Thank you for saying so." Sophronia was instantly suspicious. "You…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gail-carriger/nice-prong-said-sophronia-after-a-moment-felix-grinned-and-waggled/) [Gail Carriger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gail-carriger/) [Explore all 289 Gail Carriger quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gail-carriger/) ## More Puffed quotes > [He referred to me as an 'insufferable puffed-up prat'. This is a bit rich coming from a man who actually married his own mother.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-morrissey/he-referred-to-me-as-an-insufferable-puffed-up-prat-this-is-a-bit/) [Steven Morrissey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-morrissey/) > [“Well, so you don't get too cocky, I myself often complete the TV Guide crossword puzzle." He puffed out his chest. "In pen.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shelly-laurenston/well-so-you-don-t-get-too-cocky-i-myself-often-complete-the-tv-guide/) [Shelly Laurenston](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shelly-laurenston/) > [Then she marched to the pillows and beat them mercilessly until they lay puffed out like obedient clouds.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kristin-cashore/then-she-marched-to-the-pillows-and-beat-them-mercilessly-until-they/) [Kristin Cashore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kristin-cashore/) > [“He puffed out his pigeon chest and waddled across the room towards me. With his feet pointing outwards, he looked like a fat duck…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-thrall/he-puffed-out-his-pigeon-chest-and-waddled-across-the-room-towards-me/) [Chris Thrall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-thrall/) > [His chest is all puffed out like Raquel Walsh.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/archie-bunker/his-chest-is-all-puffed-out-like-raquel-walsh/) [Archie Bunker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/archie-bunker/) > [“He didn't want to puff her up. Puffed-up women are one of the original sources of trouble in the world. If anyone knew that,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judith-merkle-riley/he-didn-t-want-to-puff-her-up-puffed-up-women-are-one-of-the-original/) [Judith Merkle Riley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judith-merkle-riley/) > [“as if he were trying to escape the smell of her words as if the air from her talking came into his mouth and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-ondaatje/as-if-he-were-trying-to-escape-the-smell-of-her-words-as-if-the-air/) [Michael Ondaatje](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-ondaatje/) > [You've no fear of heights," puffed the girl. "None," I said. "I've heard that about you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kenneth-oppel/you-ve-no-fear-of-heights-puffed-the-girl-none-i-said-i-ve-heard-that/) [Kenneth Oppel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kenneth-oppel/) > [“Privately he called them a couple of puffed-up, dressed-up, made-up, stuck-up, brainless parakeets.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shirley-hughes/privately-he-called-them-a-couple-of-puffed-up-dressed-up-made-up/) [Shirley Hughes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shirley-hughes/) > [“I’d rather be a nothing at the center of everything than a puffed-up somebody at the edge of it all.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josiah-bancroft/i-d-rather-be-a-nothing-at-the-center-of-everything-than-a-puffed-up/) [Josiah Bancroft](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josiah-bancroft/) > [“He puffed up his chest. “Me man, me need more food than tiny waif female.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samantha-young/he-puffed-up-his-chest-me-man-me-need-more-food-than-tiny-waif-female/) [Samantha Young](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samantha-young/) [Browse all 12 Puffed quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/puffed-275806/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“Professor Lyall puffed out his cheeks in exasperation. It was like trying to have a conversation with a distracted and very soggy scone. Every time he pushed in one direction the earl either oozed or crumbled.”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Gail Carriger" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gail-carriger/professor-lyall-puffed-out-his-cheeks-in-exasperation-it-was-like/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Puffed" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gail-carriger/professor-lyall-puffed-out-his-cheeks-in-exasperation-it-was-like/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d03/gail-carriger-1051_quote_professor-lyall-puffed-out-his-cheeks-in_1054122.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d03/gail-carriger-1051_quote_professor-lyall-puffed-out-his-cheeks-in_1054122.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d03/gail-carriger-1051_quote_professor-lyall-puffed-out-his-cheeks-in_1054122.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Professor Lyall puffed out his cheeks in exasperation. It was like trying to have a conversation with a…” — Gail Carriger", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Gail Carriger", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gail-carriger/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "“Professor Lyall puffed out his cheeks...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gail-carriger/professor-lyall-puffed-out-his-cheeks-in-exasperation-it-was-like/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gail-carriger/professor-lyall-puffed-out-his-cheeks-in-exasperation-it-was-like/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```