# Clarification request, re: Rules about changing text within quote tags **URL:** \ **Category:** About This Message Board\ **Created:** [March 28, 2014, 8:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clarification-request-re-rules-about-changing-text-within-quote-tags/684746 "2014-03-28T08:51:24Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Shodan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Shodan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shodan)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2014, 2:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clarification-request-re-rules-about-changing-text-within-quote-tags/684746/21 "2014-03-28T14:59:08Z")
IIUC, here is the rule - > [@](#): > > Falsely attributing a quote to another user, or modifying another’s post in order to cast him/her in a bad light, even if meant in jest, is grounds for revocation of your posting privileges. > > This does not apply to parodies to which no name is attached. > > Text inside “QUOTE” tags is sacrosanct. Normal editorial rules apply: that is, you may indicate omitted portions of a quote by the use of ellipses “…” and you may add text to clarify a word using square brackets (e.g., “her [the sister’s] friend”), but you may not add editorial comments or edit a quote so as to change the substantive meaning; nor may you substitute text such as “some blather” or “more nonsense” inside the “QUOTE” tags. **magellan01** removed the name, and his post was more or less a parody. But he put it inside quote tags, therefore it **does** apply to parodies to which no name is attached. It might be clearer if the line were changed to read \*This does not apply to parodies to which no name is attached, providing you don’t use quote tags or single or double quotation marks. Text inside quote tags, or inside single or double quotation marks, is sacrosanct.\* Etc. Or whatever the rule is. The ambiguity lies in the bald statement that it is OK for parodies with no name attached, and simultaneously saying text in quote tags is sacrosanct. It appears that “parodies are OK” applies to the whole set of rules about quotes. What format is appropriate for parodies? The qualification that no name be attached makes it sound like quote tags, but without the QUOTE=PosterName part of the tag, are OK, but that is not correct. Are single or double quotation marks OK? Or is there a moral equivalent of [FTFY] Parody with no name goes here [/FTFY] Regards, Shodan ---
**Author:** ![bldysabba](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ecccb3/32.png) [@bldysabba](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bldysabba)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2014, 3:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clarification-request-re-rules-about-changing-text-within-quote-tags/684746/22 "2014-03-28T15:00:22Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > There is a difference between saying something in quotation marks (“something”), and saying something in a quotation _box_. You don’t get to change the meaning of the original quote when using the quotation box. Read the rule. It says that as long as it’s a parody, and the name of the original poster is removed, you do. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2014, 3:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clarification-request-re-rules-about-changing-text-within-quote-tags/684746/23 "2014-03-28T15:02:29Z")
> [@bldysabba](#): > > Read the rule. It says that as long as it’s a parody, and the name of the original poster is removed, you do. _you_ read the rule: > [@](#): > > Falsely attributing a quote to another user, or modifying another’s post in order to cast him/her in a bad light, even if meant in jest, is grounds for revocation of your posting privileges. > > This does not apply to parodies to which no name is attached. > > Text inside QUOTE tags is sacrosanct. Normal editorial rules apply: that is, you may indicate omitted portions of a quote by the use of ellipses “…” and you may add text to clarify a word using square brackets (e.g., “her [the sister’s] friend”), but you may not add editorial comments or edit a quote so as to change the substantive meaning; nor may you substitute text such as “some blather” or “more nonsense” inside the QUOTE. There are different rules for quotes within quote tags. ---
**Author:** ![bldysabba](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ecccb3/32.png) [@bldysabba](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bldysabba)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2014, 3:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clarification-request-re-rules-about-changing-text-within-quote-tags/684746/24 "2014-03-28T15:08:01Z")
> [@Shodan](#): > > The ambiguity lies in the bald statement that it is OK for parodies with no name attached, and simultaneously saying text in quote tags is sacrosanct. It appears that “parodies are OK” applies to the whole set of rules about quotes. I personally don’t think there’s any ambiguity at all. It’s quite clear that the rule is intended to avoid a situation where a poster makes it look like someone said something, when in actual fact they said something else. Magellan is well within both letter _and_ spirit of the law. ---
**Author:** ![RaftPeople](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/6f9a4e/32.png) [@RaftPeople](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RaftPeople)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2014, 3:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clarification-request-re-rules-about-changing-text-within-quote-tags/684746/25 "2014-03-28T15:09:19Z")
> [@twickster](#): > > As a current moderator, I consider anything treated as a quote to be a quote – I make no distinction between quotation mark and a quote box. Quotes is quotes. So even though the rules has been established that you can change things in quote marks, and the other mods clearly agree with that - you’ve just made up your own rule to counter it? That’s pretty weird. ---
**Author:** ![bldysabba](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ecccb3/32.png) [@bldysabba](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bldysabba)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2014, 3:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clarification-request-re-rules-about-changing-text-within-quote-tags/684746/26 "2014-03-28T15:10:30Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > _you_ read the rule:There are different rules for quotes within quote tags. I read that rule as an expansion of the earlier statement, and the statement “This does not apply to parodies to which no name is attached.” is applicable to it. ---
**Author:** ![Darth\_Panda](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ee7513/32.png) [@Darth\_Panda](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darth_Panda)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2014, 3:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clarification-request-re-rules-about-changing-text-within-quote-tags/684746/27 "2014-03-28T15:11:15Z")
> [@](#): > > This does not apply to parodies to which no name is attached. Parody: 1: a literary or musical work in which the style of an author or work is closely imitated for comic effect or in ridicule 2: a feeble or ridiculous imitation No name was attached. I can’t see why there should be a warning. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2014, 3:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clarification-request-re-rules-about-changing-text-within-quote-tags/684746/28 "2014-03-28T15:12:25Z")
> [@bldysabba](#): > > I read that rule as an expansion of the earlier statement, and the statement “This does not apply to parodies to which no name is attached.” is applicable to it. > [@](#): > > Text inside QUOTE tags is sacrosanct. What definition of “sacrosanct” are you using in this context? ---
**Author:** ![bldysabba](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ecccb3/32.png) [@bldysabba](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bldysabba)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2014, 3:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clarification-request-re-rules-about-changing-text-within-quote-tags/684746/29 "2014-03-28T15:12:57Z")
Otherwise, > [@](#): > > Look at me committing heresy within the sanctum sanctorum ---
**Author:** ![bldysabba](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ecccb3/32.png) [@bldysabba](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bldysabba)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2014, 3:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clarification-request-re-rules-about-changing-text-within-quote-tags/684746/30 "2014-03-28T15:15:35Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > What definition of “sacrosanct” are you using in this context? I would ask what definitions you’re using for the words “This does not apply to parodies to which no name is attached”, but that would be silly. Oh wait, we’re already doing silly. What definitions would you use for the words “This does not apply to parodies to which no name is attached” in this context? ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2014, 3:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clarification-request-re-rules-about-changing-text-within-quote-tags/684746/31 "2014-03-28T15:21:02Z")
> [@bldysabba](#): > > Otherwise, What I see is you using quote tags without actually quoting a previous statement, which has absolutely nothing to do with what **magellan01** did. He changed the meaning of an easily found quote, apparently thinking that simply dropping the name of the person he was directly quoting allowed him to skirt the rules concerning quote tags. In my opinion, he broke both the letter and the spirit of the law. ---
**Author:** ![twickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2014, 3:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clarification-request-re-rules-about-changing-text-within-quote-tags/684746/32 "2014-03-28T15:23:28Z")
> [@RaftPeople](#): > > So even though the rules has been established that you can change things in quote marks, and the other mods clearly agree with that - you’ve just made up your own rule to counter it? > > That’s pretty weird. First, where does it say that material quoted with quotation marks is handled differently than material in a quote box? Unattributed parodies _are_ treated differently, but attributed quotes, however presented, should not be tampered with. And second, the only “other mod” who has posted in this thread is **Czarcasm** , who is not currently a moderator. ---
**Author:** ![bldysabba](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ecccb3/32.png) [@bldysabba](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bldysabba)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2014, 3:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clarification-request-re-rules-about-changing-text-within-quote-tags/684746/33 "2014-03-28T15:24:16Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > What I see is you using quote tags without actually quoting a previous statement, which has absolutely nothing to do with what **magellan01** did. He changed the meaning of an easily found quote, apparently thinking that simply dropping the name of the person he was directly quoting allowed him to skirt the rules concerning quote tags. In my opinion, he broke both the letter and the spirit of the law. The rule explicitly states that dropping the name of the person you’re quoting and making a parody is allowed. Magellan did both. His post made no attempt to even hint that he was _actually_ quoting another poster. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2014, 3:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clarification-request-re-rules-about-changing-text-within-quote-tags/684746/34 "2014-03-28T15:24:53Z")
> [@bldysabba](#): > > I would ask what definitions you’re using for the words “This does not apply to parodies to which no name is attached”, but that would be silly. Oh wait, we’re already doing silly. What definitions would you use for the words “This does not apply to parodies to which no name is attached” in this context? No answer to my question, then? [Here’s a link for your reference.](http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sacrosanct) ---
**Author:** ![GrandWino](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/grandwino/32/67_2.png) [@GrandWino](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GrandWino)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2014, 3:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clarification-request-re-rules-about-changing-text-within-quote-tags/684746/35 "2014-03-28T15:27:58Z")
> [@twickster](#): > > And second, the only “other mod” who has posted in this thread is **Czarcasm** , who is not currently a moderator. He’s not??? ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2014, 3:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clarification-request-re-rules-about-changing-text-within-quote-tags/684746/36 "2014-03-28T15:28:22Z")
> [@twickster](#): > > First, where does it say that material quoted with quotation marks is handled differently than material in a quote box? Then what is the purpose of this > [@](#): > > Text inside QUOTE tags is sacrosanct. , and what is the difference between using quotation marks and quote tags? ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2014, 3:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clarification-request-re-rules-about-changing-text-within-quote-tags/684746/37 "2014-03-28T15:30:30Z")
> [@Bob Ducca](#): > > He’s not??? Cut the crap. I have given no indication that I am speaking anything but my own opinion, the same as anyone else here. ---
**Author:** ![bldysabba](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ecccb3/32.png) [@bldysabba](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bldysabba)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2014, 3:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clarification-request-re-rules-about-changing-text-within-quote-tags/684746/38 "2014-03-28T15:32:21Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > No answer to my question, then? [Here’s a link for your reference.](http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sacrosanct) No answer to mine? Do you know the meaning of the words “This does not apply to parodies to which no name is attached”? ---
**Author:** ![Shodan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Shodan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shodan)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2014, 3:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clarification-request-re-rules-about-changing-text-within-quote-tags/684746/39 "2014-03-28T15:34:26Z")
> [@twickster](#): > > First, where does it say that material quoted with quotation marks is handled differently than material in a quote box? Unattributed parodies _are_ treated differently, but attributed quotes, however presented, should not be tampered with. Then I would respectfully suggest that this line > [@](#): > > This does not apply to parodies to which no name is attached. be changed to read \*This applies to anything inside quote tags, or single or double quotation marks. Text inside quote tags, or inside single or double quotation marks, is sacrosanct…\* And then add _If you wish to parody another post, do not attach a name, and do not use quote tags or quotation marks, single or double._ Regards, Shodan ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2014, 3:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clarification-request-re-rules-about-changing-text-within-quote-tags/684746/40 "2014-03-28T15:36:13Z")
[I knew this was discussed before.](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=618120&highlight=quotation) Take a look at which mods clarified the rules. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clarification-request-re-rules-about-changing-text-within-quote-tags/684746.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clarification-request-re-rules-about-changing-text-within-quote-tags/684746.md?page=3)