America Quote by Dave Barry
“If you explain so clearly that nobody can misunderstand, somebody will. If you're right 90% of the time, why quibble about the remaining 3%? In Africa some of the native tribes have a custom of beating the ground with clubs and uttering spine chilling cries. Anthropologists call this a form of primitive self-expression. In America we call it golf.”
About This Quote
Source Column: Humor Writing, Dave Barry, 1998
Clear explanations can still be misunderstood; perfection isn’t needed when most of the message is correct.
In simple terms: Even clear messages can be misinterpreted.
Key Takeaway
Focus on core truth, not minor errors.
Themes
communication
clarity
human error
Mood
lighthearted
ironic
Type
humorous
observational
When to use this quote
- teaching
- public speaking
- writing workshops
- media analysis
Key Concepts
cognitive bias
interpretation
humor
Questions to Reflect On
- When is it acceptable to ignore small inaccuracies?
- How does humor affect perception of truth?
A Different Perspective
Overemphasis on precision can stifle creativity.
![“I'll smoke, I'll cough, I'll get the tumors, I'll die, deal? Thank you America. [salutes]” quote by Bill Hicks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/3d2/bill-hicks-970_america_i-ll-smoke-i-ll-cough-i-ll-get-the-tumor_655.jpg)
