Political Crossfire Forums

Nathyn · Joined: 25 Sep 2005 Posts: 7246 Location: The Great Satan

Why is this word censored?

The word predates the racial slur and has absolutely nothing to do with it. Take a look at the Etymology dictionary and you'll see the term was coined in 1366.

Granted, this isn't really a big deal, because there's really no conceivable case where you'd use the word other than to discuss its political correctness. But I just thought I'd mention it because I think public perception of that word is ignorant. Censoring it sort of implies agreement with the popular consensus that it's an inappropriate word to use.

Revenant · Joined: 16 Apr 2006 Posts: 15540 Location: Bliss

RACIST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Nathyn · Joined: 25 Sep 2005 Posts: 7246 Location: The Great Satan

Revenant wrote: RACIST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ASTERISK ASTERISK ASTERISK ASTERISK!!

David · Joined: 29 Dec 2003 Posts: 11568 Location: Louisiana

The word itself is not being censored.The word censor is set up to edit any word beginning with ***** with the "*" being a wild card and so anything with **** first in the word is censored.

Nathyn · Joined: 25 Sep 2005 Posts: 7246 Location: The Great Satan

David wrote: The word itself is not being censored.The word censor is set up to edit any word beginning with ***** with the "*" being a wild card and so anything with **** first in the word is censored.
Ah, okay. Nevermind, then.

Lumina · Joined: 16 Mar 2006 Posts: 13517

Nathyn wrote: Why is this word censored?

The word predates the racial slur and has absolutely nothing to do with it. Take a look at the Etymology dictionary and you'll see the term was coined in 1366.

Granted, this isn't really a big deal, because there's really no conceivable case where you'd use the word other than to discuss its political correctness. But I just thought I'd mention it because I think public perception of that word is ignorant. Censoring it sort of implies agreement with the popular consensus that it's an inappropriate word to use.

So glad you asked this question. I remember to the day the last time I used this word--and was met by horrified silence by those unfamiliar with it and who weren't listening carefully. It's a wonderful, wonderful word, and I lament the "political correctness" that has removed it from my personal vocabulary except among those whom I know hear and understand its meaning.

Yep, a word tossed onto the funeral pyre of "political correctness." God forbid that we should learn the word; instead, we must ban it because it sounds too similar to the filthiest word in the English language.

David · Joined: 29 Dec 2003 Posts: 11568 Location: Louisiana

It's not being censored for what it is it's being censored because the word filter is censoring the other and it happens to catch that one in the wash.

The Grandmaster · Posted: Fri Oct 06, 2006 4:19 am Post subject:

Yeah Dave's right. There is no moral element to this one. The word just happens to be an unfortunate victem of spelling, and the phpBB software is programmed to catch any sequence of letters that spell the 'actual' word out as part of a string. If there are additional letters as part of this string, they also fall victim, until a space character is entered, or the string becomes a certain length, and the php code begins looking for the next string of letters. I experimented and found a way around it, but I won't post it and ruin it for the admins and mods. :lol:

David · Joined: 29 Dec 2003 Posts: 11568 Location: Louisiana

You won't ruin it actually.We know how to bypass the filter but we have also banned people for using the word in a racist manner.We have a low tolerance for that.

Free Thinkr · Posted: Fri Oct 06, 2006 11:40 am Post subject:

I think the word "socks" only with a "u" where the "o" is should no longer be censored. My reasoning:

1. it's not considered a "bad" word by anyone I've ever met
2. it's a legitimate word and not slang, and gets filtered constantly in phrases such as "a black hole s*cks up all nearby matter"

The Grandmaster · Posted: Fri Oct 06, 2006 3:47 pm Post subject:

David wrote: You won't ruin it actually.We know how to bypass the filter but we have also banned people for using the word in a racist manner.We have a low tolerance for that.

I would to. Actually though, what I meant was that it would block out the entire string of letters any time that string contained the word within it. For example, if you put nonsense around the word, it all gets blocked. However, if the string is long, like 15-20 letters it won't block it. I don't know why. Must be a limit in the length() parameter or something.

Casualtie · Joined: 21 Sep 2006 Posts: 86

that is kind of dumb to have it censored just becauase it has the "n" word in it. i dont really see how anyone who is not retarded could take offense to that word. unless you use it wrong.

TheGirlNextDoor · Joined: 08 Jul 2004 Posts: 22608

Casualtie wrote: that is kind of dumb to have it censored just becauase it has the "n" word in it. i dont really see how anyone who is not retarded could take offense to that word. unless you use it wrong.

I think you should re-read what's been stated as to why that word is automatically censored.

In case you missed it:

David wrote: It's not being censored for what it is it's being censored because the word filter is censoring the other and it happens to catch that one in the wash.

Cincaid · Joined: 13 May 2004 Posts: 2222 Location: MD

In my 11th grade English class that word came up as one of our daily SAT words and my teacher refused to say it because it offended her.

bob.appleyard · Joined: 15 Oct 2005 Posts: 7403 Location: Manchestar, innit

I have had this problem with another n word. Giggle beginning with an n... meaning petty complaint. I use it in everyday speech, but I can't here, which annoys me, but hey.

Free Thinkr · Posted: Thu Oct 19, 2006 1:55 pm Post subject:

Cincaid wrote: In my 11th grade English class that word came up as one of our daily SAT words and my teacher refused to say it because it offended her.
What an idiot. :lol:

The Grandmaster · Posted: Fri Oct 20, 2006 5:56 pm Post subject:

Free Thinkr wrote: Cincaid wrote: In my 11th grade English class that word came up as one of our daily SAT words and my teacher refused to say it because it offended her.
What an idiot. :lol:

I have learned as I have grown older that there is literally no limit to the lengths prudes in our country will go to become indignant.