In 1885 Gilles de la Tourette described a striking syndrome of motor and verbal tics, with uncontrollable gesticulations and verbal outbursts, especially of a profane or scatological nature (coprolalia).1 As currently defined, Tourette's syndrome encompasses several neurological disorders, including echolalia and palilalia (invented words), obsessive-compulsive behaviour, and occasionally self mutilation.2 Subjects often have a fascination with rhymes, riddles, and word play.3 4 Interestingly, Tourette's syndrome has been linked with artistic creativity, and there has been speculation that Mozart and Dr Samuel Johnson may have been sufferers.4 5 We believe that Tourette's syndrome could also underlie the bizarre and hitherto unexplained behaviour of one of the best known yet most enigmatic characters of 20th century English literature.