In this quote, the author discusses the pronunciation of the word "borogoves" from Lewis Carroll's book The Hunting of the Snark. He explains that the initial "o" should sound like the "o" in "borrow," emphasizing the correct pronunciation for readers and fans of the book.
He also notes that some people attempt to pronounce it with the "o" sound from "worry," which he considers a example of human perverse behavior. The remark highlights how individuals often deviate from the correct or intended pronunciation, possibly due to personal preferences or misunderstandings.