Woolley is always quick to point out the physical impossibilities of Sir Humphrey's or Hacker's mixed metaphors, with almost excessive pedantry. He can occasionally appear rather childlike, by making animal noises and gestures or by acting out how such an analogy cannot work. Even so, on many occasions Sir Humphrey describes Woolley as a "rising star" and "high flyer" of the Civil Service, though it is not entirely clear how to interpret Sir Humphrey's remarks—that is, whether with sincere deference to Bernard's capabilities or with indignation at such a term being applied to a subordinate. Sir Humphrey once questions whether Bernard is "a high flyer or a low flyer supported by occasional gusts of wind."