"Opera in English is, in the main, just about as sensible as baseball in Italian"

H.L. Mencken, known for his sharp wit and criticism, thought that opera sung in English is simply as ludicrous as the game of baseball being played in Italy where it isn't a popular sport. Mencken's ironical remark suggests that he believes opera, with its grandiose styles and fancy outfits, loses its effect when translated into the English language. It is most likely that he is likewise poking fun at the cultural distinctions between Italy and America where baseball is a significant sport, and opera is not as popular. In general, Mencken's comment is an amusing observation on the crossway of language, culture, and art.