“There are men so philosophical that they can see humor in their own toothaches. But there has never lived a man so philosophical that he could see the toothache in his own humor.”

American journalist, essayist, satirist, and cultural critic

H. L. Mencken was an American journalist, essayist, satirist, cultural critic, and scholar of American English. He wrote in the early twentieth century and became known for sharp, combative prose and commentary. Mencken wrote widely on literature, music, prominent politicians, and the cultural movements of his day. His satirical coverage of the Scopes trial, which he called the "Monkey Trial," brought him wider notice. The word Menckenian entered dictionaries as a label for things associated with him, including his rhetorical style.