He had only recently learned the word dramaturge and had been looking for opportunities to use it. He had eventually summoned up the courage to try it on Big Lou, but her espresso machine had hissed at a crucial moment and she had not heard him.
In "The World According to Bertie" by Alexander McCall Smith, a character is introduced who is excited about having learned the term "dramaturge." He is eager to incorporate this new vocabulary into his conversations and feels a sense of accomplishment in articulating it. His attempt to use the word occurs during a moment of interaction with Big Lou.
However, his effort is thwarted when the espresso machine creates a distracting noise, preventing Big Lou from hearing him. This moment highlights both the character's enthusiasm for language and the humorous challenges of communication in everyday situations.