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In Hebrew there is a phrase that roughly translates:

On taste and smell there is no point in arguing.

This is of course because both are very subjective.
Is there an English phrase that passes the same sentiment? (That it is senseless to debate tastes).

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Consider:

  1. Every man to his taste: Prov. Everyone likes something different, and you should not condemn people because of what they like. (Can be used to remark that someone's tastes are different from yours, as in the first example.)
  2. There's no accounting for taste: Prov. You cannot blame different people because they like different things, even if you do not understand why they like what they like.
  3. Tastes differ: Prov. Different people like different things.
  4. One man's meat is another man's poison: Prov. Something that one person likes may be distasteful to someone else.
  5. To each his own / Each to his own: Every person is entitled to his or her personal preferences and tastes.

There's also a related (but crude) phrase, "Opinions are like assholes. Everyone has one.", which is well known.

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    "Opinions are like assholes. Everyone has one." lol – lu yuan Mar 5 '13 at 8:03
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    'To each his own' seems the best answer here. The other options provide some nice elaboration. – jimbotherisenclown Mar 5 '13 at 8:05
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    Is there an unspoken statement after your last example? "Your opinion means that you are one." – Andrew Leach♦ Mar 5 '13 at 8:25
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I am reminded of the phrases: "In matters of taste, there can be no disputes" or "There must not be debate concerning tastes".

Both these phrases are the translation of the Latin saying de gustibus non est disputandum. It implies that taste is a matter of opinion in which there is no right or wrong, thus its not subject to be debated.

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  • This is very enlightening. Thank you. I didn't accept this answer because it is a Latin translation, and not an English phrase. But hey... At least now I know where the Hebrew phrase comes from. – bldoron Mar 5 '13 at 9:28
  • You are welcome. Correctly said, the phrases are actually translations of the Latin saying and did not originate in the English language. However, your description caused this to immediately spring up in my mind. I am quite happy with you accepting the current answer though. – Sayan Mar 5 '13 at 10:00
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It were not best that we should all think alike; it is difference of opinion that makes horse-races. - Pudd'nhead Wilson's Calendar, 1894

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