--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: As for language, almost everything goes…" description: "\"As for language, almost everything goes now. That is not to say that verbal taboos have disappeared, but merely that they have shifted somewhat. In my ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/898/tom-lehrer-3442_certain_as-for-language-almost-everything-goes-n_3199558.jpg" --- # As for language, almost everything goes now. That is not… ![“As for language, almost everything goes now. That is not to say that verbal taboos have disappeared, but merely that they have shifted somewhat. In my youth, for example, there were certain words you couldn't say in front of a girl; now you can say them, but you can't say 'girl'.” quote by Tom Lehrer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/898/tom-lehrer-3442_certain_as-for-language-almost-everything-goes-n_3199558.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/898/tom-lehrer-3442_certain_as-for-language-almost-everything-goes-n_3199558.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/898/tom-lehrer-3442_certain_as-for-language-almost-everything-goes-n_3199558.jpg) > “As for language, almost everything goes now. That is not to say that verbal taboos have disappeared, but merely that they have shifted somewhat. In my youth, for example, there were certain words you couldn't say in front of a girl; now you can say them, but you can't say 'girl'.” [Tom Lehrer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-lehrer/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Verbal taboos shift over time; words become acceptable while others become forbidden. **In simple terms:** Language taboos change with culture. Key Takeaway Observe how language norms evolve. Themes language culture taboos Mood humorous observational Type satirical commentary When to use this quote - media writing - public speaking - interpersonal communication - education Key Concepts social linguistics censorship Questions to Reflect On - Which words have become taboo for you? - How do you adapt language to different audiences? A Different Perspective Changing taboos can cause confusion or miscommunication. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Girl](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/girl/) [Language](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/language/) [Taboo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/taboo/) [Taboos](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/taboos/) [Youth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/youth/) ## Related quotes > [Philosophical problems arise when language goes on holiday](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ludwig-wittgenstein/philosophical-problems-arise-when-language-goes-on-holiday/) [Ludwig Wittgenstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ludwig-wittgenstein/) > [If you talk to a man in a language he understands, it goes to his head. 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