Humpty Dumpty explains that when he uses a word to do a lot of work or convey a complex idea, he considers it as deserving of extra attention or value. This suggests that words can carry varying degrees of significance depending on how heavily they are relied upon to communicate thoughts or concepts. He humorously implies that words are like workers who should be compensated accordingly for their effort. The quote emphasizes the importance of choosing words thoughtfully, recognizing that some carry more weight and responsibility in conveying meaning effectively.

"When I make a word do a lot of work like that," said Humpty Dumpty, "I always pay it extra."