Wit - the salt with which the American humorist spoils his intellectual cookery by leaving it out.

Summary

This quote suggests that humor in America often lacks the quick and clever wit found in other forms of humor. The American humorist is likened to a cook who forgets to add salt to his dish, as wit is considered an essential ingredient in creating intellectually stimulating humor. By leaving out wit, American humor falls short and fails to reach its full potential.