As far as I'm concerned, 'whom' is a word that was invented to make everyone sound like a butler.

The quote, "As far as I'm concerned, 'whom' is a word that was invented to make everyone sound like a butler," by Calvin Trillin, humorously critiques the often overly formal and pretentious use of the word "whom" in the English language. Trillin, a well-known American writer and humorist, is making light of the fact that using whom instead of the more casual who can sound stiff, overly proper, and even a bit out of place in everyday conversation. By comparing its use to the speech of a butler, Trillin is poking fun at the perceived elitism and artifice that sometimes accompanies formal language.

The origin of this quote is rooted in Trillin's characteristic style of writing, which often involves making lighthearted and witty observations about language, culture, and society. As someone with a sharp sense of humor, he frequently found humor in the way people use language to convey status or sophistication, especially when it results in unnecessary complexity. In this case, the word whom serves as a humorous target for his criticism of linguistic pretensions.

At its core, the quote underscores the absurdity of using whom in casual contexts, where it might sound overly formal or unnecessarily complicated. Trillin is suggesting that language should be more about clarity and ease rather than adhering to outdated rules that may make one sound overly fussy or pretentious. His use of the butler analogy highlights the societal associations with formality and high status, which are often linked to words like whom in traditional English.

The quote also reflects Trillin's broader view of language as a tool for communication rather than a status symbol. By making fun of the use of whom, he is advocating for a more natural, accessible approach to language that avoids unnecessarily complicating everyday conversations. It’s a playful reminder that language should serve people, not the other way around, and that clarity and simplicity often trump artificial complexity.