The author Lynne Truss reflects on a humorous anecdote regarding the dying words of a well-known 20th-century writer, which supposedly lamented the overuse of semicolons. Truss finds this quotation captivating and has made attempts to verify its origin, but her efforts have been in vain. Despite this, she emphasizes the significance of the statement, which humorously critiques punctuation style, particularly the semicolon.

Truss's contemplation highlights a broader conversation about writing and punctuation, suggesting that writers should be mindful of their choices in grammar. She expresses a desire to adopt this humorous quote as her own should it be proven apocryphal, illustrating how the intricacies of punctuation can become a lighthearted yet profound concern for writers.