In my youth there were words you couldn't say in front of a girl; now you can't say 'girl.'
Interpretation
This quote reflects on how language and social norms change over time, particularly regarding gender terms.
Tom Lehrer humorously points out the shift in societal attitudes toward gender language from his youth to the present day. In the past, certain words were considered inappropriate to use in front of women, while today, even the word 'girl' can be seen as problematic. This observation highlights the evolving nature of language and the complexities of gender identity.
In practice
A discussion about changing gender norms in a speech.
All books can be indecent books, though recent books are bolder._x000D_ _x000D_ For filth, I'm glad to say, is in the mind of the beholder._x000D_ _x000D_ When correctly viewed, everything is lewd._x000D_ _x000D_ I could tell you things about Peter Pan_x000D_ _x000D_ and the Wizard of OZ, there's a dirty old man!
You can make fun with Saddam Hussein jokes ... but you can't make fun of, say, the concentration camps. I think my target was not so much evil, but benign stupidity people doing stupid things without realising or, instead, thinking they were doing good.
Political satire became obsolete when they awarded Henry Kissinger the Nobel Peace Prize.
But in the new (math) approach, the important thing is to understand what you're doing, rather than to get the right answer.
You can't be satirical and not be offensive to somebody.
All these jokes have been pre-approved as funny by me.
I have been attacked by Rush Limbaugh on the air, an experience somewhat akin to being gummed by a newt. It doesn't actually hurt, but it leaves you with slimy stuff on your ankle.
Not here not there not anywhere!
I've seen racism in my audiences. For example, I've seen people laugh at every other group, but then clam up when it comes to their community. You can't laugh at everyone else and then not laugh at yourself. You shouldn't be at my show if you can't laugh at yourself.
I have heard upscale adult U.S. citizens ask the ship's Guest Relations Desk whether snorkeling necessitates getting wet...I now know the precise mixocological difference between a Slippery Nipple and a fuzzy navel.
Skewered through and through with office-pens, and bound hand and foot with red tape.
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