The quote refers to the extreme prudery of the nineteenth century, highlighting how societal norms were so strict that even the legs of pianos were covered with skirts to avoid evoking inappropriate thoughts. This whimsical practice illustrates how far people went to maintain decorum and control desires in a time characterized by strict moral codes.

Bill Bryson, in his book "The Mother Tongue: English and How it Got That Way," emphasizes the peculiarities of language and cultural practices. The anecdote serves as a humorous reminder of the lengths society has gone to in order to manage perceptions of modesty and propriety, revealing how cultural values can shape even the most mundane objects in daily life.