nobody ever went broke underestimating the taste of the American people

== English == === Alternative forms === nobody ever went broke underestimating the taste of the American public no one ever went broke underestimating the taste of the American people === Etymology === Widely attributed to American author and social critic H. L. Mencken (1880–1956) but not found in his published works, so the source and original form of this expression are not known with certainty. === Proverb === nobody ever went broke underestimating the taste of the American people Americans, as a group, do not have good taste or sophistication and can be easily amused or distracted to produce financial benefit for someone. ==== Usage notes ==== In a common variant version of this proverb, the term intelligence is used instead of taste. === See also === nobody ever went broke underestimating the intelligence of the American people === References ===