In Chapter 4, the Humbug says to the Spelling Bee, "A slavish concern for the composition of words is the sign of a bankrupt intellect."
Question: What does this quote mean and what is the Humbug referring to?
In context, the Humbug is accusing the Spelling Bee of depending on his ability to spell words. In the above phrase, he is insulting the Spelling Bee and insinuating that he isn't all that intelligent..... he just likes to use words in order to sound intelligent.
The Phantom Tollbooth
humbug said this phrase during a fight with spelling bee. it means that learning spellings without knowing meaning of it, doesn't make you intellligent. it shows that you have a bankcrupt intellect (not intelligent)
THE PHANTOM TOLLBOOTH
