This collection investigates the perceived erosion of linguistic standards and the broader cultural implications of declining literacy in contemporary society. John Simon, a noted critic known for his rigorous and often acerbic commentary, utilizes his extensive background in literature and linguistics to examine the misuse of English. He presents a series of arguments asserting that the degradation of language reflects a parallel decline in intellectual and moral precision.

Critics frequently note the polemical and highly opinionated nature of Simon's prose, which often polarizes readers based on their own views of linguistic prescriptivism. Scholars and general readers alike highlight this text as a representative example of traditionalist criticism regarding the evolution of the English language.