Full Idea
Once theory of meaning and of reference are separated it is a short step to recognising as the primary business of theory of meaning simply the synonymy of linguistic forms and analyticity of statements; meanings themselves may be abandoned.
Gist of Idea
Once meaning and reference are separated, meaning ceases to seem important
Source
Willard Quine (Two Dogmas of Empiricism [1953], p.22)
Book Reference
Quine,Willard: 'From a Logical Point of View' [Harper and Row 1963], p.22
A Reaction
I can't buy the abandonment of meaning, because when I introspect my own speech there is clearly what I want to say formulating in my mind before the words are settled.