To dispatch one's friends to a dictionary from time to time is one of the more sophisticated pleasures of life, but it is one that must be indulged in sparingly: to do it too often may result in accusations of having swallowed one's own dictionary, which is not a compliment, whichever way one looks at it.
In this excerpt, the author reflects on the enjoyment derived from introducing friends to the finer details of language, particularly through the use of a dictionary. This act is depicted as a subtle form of sophistication, indicating a certain level of knowledge and wit. However, the author cautions against overusing this practice, as doing so may lead to others perceiving one as pedantic or overly verbose.
Ultimately, the passage highlights the...
