Who said “Only in America, Rabbi Golden, do these peasants, our mothers, get their hair dyed…”?

Verified

Philip Roth. A published source records them saying or writing it.

SourcePortnoy's Complaint (1969)

Evidence: Wikiquote · How we check

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“Only in America, Rabbi Golden, do these peasants, our mothers, get their hair dyed platinum at the age of sixty, and walk up and down Collins Avenue in Florida in pedalpushers and mink stoles — and with opinions on every subject under the sun. It isn’t their fault they were given a gift like speech — look, if cows could talk, they would say things just as idiotic.”
VerifiedPortnoy's Complaint (1969) · evidenceMothers

Cite this quote

For academic work, cite the original where you can: Portnoy's Complaint (1969).

APA

Roth, P. (n.d.). Only in America, Rabbi Golden, do these peasants, our mothers, get their hair dyed platinum at the age of sixty, and walk up and down Collins Avenue in Florida in pedalpushers and mink stoles — and with opinions on every subject under the sun. It isn’t their fault they were given a gift like speech — look, if cows could talk, they would say things just as idiotic. [Quotation]. Famous Quotations Network. Retrieved October 24, 2026, from https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/29877-only-in-america-rabbi-golden-do-these-peasants/

MLA

Roth, Philip. “Only in America, Rabbi Golden, do these peasants, our mothers, get their hair dyed platinum at the age of sixty, and walk up and down Collins Avenue in Florida in pedalpushers and mink stoles — and with opinions on every subject under the sun. It isn’t their fault they were given a gift like speech — look, if cows could talk, they would say things just as idiotic.” Famous Quotations Network, https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/29877-only-in-america-rabbi-golden-do-these-peasants/. Accessed 24 Oct. 2026.

Chicago

Roth, Philip. “Only in America, Rabbi Golden, do these peasants, our mothers, get their hair dyed platinum at the age of sixty, and walk up and down Collins Avenue in Florida in pedalpushers and mink stoles — and with opinions on every subject under the sun. It isn’t their fault they were given a gift like speech — look, if cows could talk, they would say things just as idiotic.” Famous Quotations Network. Accessed October 24, 2026. https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/29877-only-in-america-rabbi-golden-do-these-peasants/.