# Can we violate every rule if we say "whoosh"?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-violate-every-rule-if-we-say-whoosh/507615>\
**Category:** About This Message Board\
**Created:** [August 25, 2009, 8:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-violate-every-rule-if-we-say-whoosh/507615 "2009-08-25T08:08:11Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 1\
**Showing post:** 12

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**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\
**Post date:** [August 25, 2009, 5:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-violate-every-rule-if-we-say-whoosh/507615/12 "2009-08-25T17:05:17Z")

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> [@DrDeth](#):
>
> I am not talking about any one post or thread. If I was, then I’d have said “In this thread, poster xxxx does suchandsuch, is that not against the rules, even if he claims it’s a joke?”

:dubious:

> [@God hates the fag King James Bible](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/god-hates-the-fag-king-james-bible/507215/113):
>
> Yes, you did, but for your use of the word “fag” only. And does just saying it’s a whoosh mean that you don’t have to follow the rules? Can I post a long hateful PITing of Cecil and all the staff and then say “whoosh” and it’s now OK? Can I threaten to sue the SDMB, and get away with it if I say it’s only a joke?😕
> 
> Just saying “it was a joke” doesn’t prevent a harassment charge in the real world.
> 
> The word is still hurtful to some- even if you meant it as a joke.

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