Meaning of "A Word for That" by Barenaked Ladies

"A Word for That" by Barenaked Ladies playfully delves into the idea of linguistic knowledge and its role in shaping how we perceive intelligence. The lyrics cleverly highlight how knowing specific words, even for obscure or mundane things like the philtrum or uvula, can create a sense of superiority or intelligence. Through the repeated refrain of "What does it start with? A word for that. I'd sound so smart if I only knew," the song captures the universal experience of feeling a bit inadequate or uneducated when faced with a term we don't know. Additionally, by associating these technical terms with everyday experiences like growing a mustache to cover the philtrum or referencing cartoons for the uvula, the song humanizes the concept of language learning and the quest for knowledge.