Listen, three eyes," he said, "don't you try to outweird me, I get stranger things than you free with my breakfast cereal.
Douglas AdamsRead
Many words and expressions which only a matter of decades ago were considered so distastefully explicit that, were they merely to be breathed in public, the perpetrator would be shunned, barred from polite society, and in extreme cases shot through the lungs, are now thought to be very healthy and proper, and their use in everyday speech and writing is evidence of a well-adjusted, relaxed and totally un****ed-up personality.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote reflects on how societal norms regarding language and expression can evolve over time.
Douglas Adams highlights the shifting perceptions of language and expression within society, illustrating how words once deemed offensive or inappropriate can become accepted as normal and even necessary for healthy communication. He suggests that embracing this change indicates a more open-minded and relaxed approach to life.
Themes
LanguageExpressionSocietyNormsCommunicationEvolution
In practice
Example use cases
In a speech about freedom of expression, you might use this quote to emphasize how societal perceptions have changed.
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Protect me from knowing what I don't need to know. Protect me from even knowing that there are things to know that I don't know. Protect me from knowing that I decided not to know about the things that I decided not to know about. Amen. [...] Lord, lord, lord. Protect me from the consequences of the above prayer.
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