Cents Quote by H.L. Mencken
““Don’t tell me. I have been there. No longer ago than last Tuesday—or was it last Monday?—I went into one of those big restaurants on the Unter den Linden and ordered a small steak, French fried potatoes, a piece of pie and a cup of coffee—and what do you think those thieves charged me for it? Three marks fifty. That’s eighty-seven and a half cents. Why, a man could have got the same meal at home for a dollar.””
About This Quote
Source Essay: “The American Language” by H.L. Mencken, 1919
Mencken satirically highlights how small‑town diners overcharge for simple meals, exposing the absurdity of price inflation.
In simple terms: Prices are inflated for basic food items.
Key Takeaway
Beware of hidden costs.
Themes
consumerism
inflation
satire
Mood
wry
critical
humorous
Type
observational
satirical
When to use this quote
- dining out
- budgeting
- travel
- everyday purchases
Key Concepts
economics
price gouging
social critique
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you verify fair pricing?
- What factors drive price differences?
A Different Perspective
The anecdote may exaggerate for humor, not reflect all establishments.
![“If there had been any formidable body of cannibals in the country he [Harry Truman] would have promised to provide them with free missionaries, fattened at the taxpayers’ expense.” quote by H.L. Mencken](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/3e7/h-l-mencken-2-5374_quote_if-there-had-been-any-formidable-body-of_142631.jpg)
