Sassoon's wit cuts deeper than a simple reminder that effort precedes achievement—he's exposing how language itself can deceive us into believing in shortcuts. The alphabetical ordering of two words becomes a parable about our yearning for cosmetic solutions, the seductive lie that success might arrive without the unglamorous grind. Anyone who's watched a friend purchase expensive gym equipment only to let it gather dust understands this perfectly: we're drawn to the aesthetic and promise of accomplishment far more readily than to its actual price. The hairstylist knew better than most that transformation requires sweat, precision, and repetition—luxuries no dictionary can provide.