# Is it okay to use \ to indicate removed text in a quote box? **URL:** \ **Category:** About This Message Board\ **Created:** [May 21, 2016, 9:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-okay-to-use-snip-to-indicate-removed-text-in-a-quote-box/755328 "2016-05-21T21:19:38Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![simster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/simster/32/1047_2.png) [@simster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/simster)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2016, 12:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-okay-to-use-snip-to-indicate-removed-text-in-a-quote-box/755328/21 "2016-05-22T12:25:35Z")
> [@kaylasdad99](#): > > Really? Warnings for _accidents_? I’m no connoisseur of on-board _faux pas_, but I’m not certain I recall seeing anything more harsh than a reminder via Mod Note for an accidental violation, often with an explicit “no warning issued” memo. > > Could I have a cite? In this case - I am reffering to the trump/drumpf saga - in which case the poster that violated the rule may not have even been aware due to the browser plugin doing the switching - See [http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=786463&highlight=drumpf](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=786463&highlight=drumpf) and post #9. The most recent thread about altering quote boxes was on the changing of a comma to a period - and the poster was not warned but noted, because the change a) could have been an accident b) didn’t alter the overall meaning of the text but it was noted in that thread again - the rules regarding quoting. The post in question in this thread was ‘no accident’. ---
**Author:** ![Steophan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/steophan/32/9595_2.png) [@Steophan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steophan)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2016, 1:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-okay-to-use-snip-to-indicate-removed-text-in-a-quote-box/755328/22 "2016-05-22T13:23:12Z")
> [@kaylasdad99](#): > > Really? Warnings for _accidents_? I’m no connoisseur of on-board _faux pas_, but I’m not certain I recall seeing anything more harsh than a reminder via Mod Note for an accidental violation, often with an explicit “no warning issued” memo. > > Could I have a cite? Dunno if you count this as a true accident, but I’ve been warned for insulting someone outside the pit, when I assumed the thread was in the pit. ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2016, 5:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-okay-to-use-snip-to-indicate-removed-text-in-a-quote-box/755328/23 "2016-05-22T17:18:35Z")
> [@simster](#): > > So - the rule being what it is - and being as clear as it is - why was ‘no warning issued’ for a poster that has been here more than long enough to know better? Well, a couple of reason. For one, the Pit is meant to be the “rules light” forum on the board - which to me means both fewer rules, and a lighter hand in enforcing them. I usually go with a note first, and a warning only if the poster persists. The rules on this board can get a little arcane, and I don’t think it’s entirely fair to expect the posters to remember all the minutia, particularly when you have major changes to the rules between separate forums. Plus, as the place set aside particularly for posters to get in fights, I think we have to give some leeway for people getting their blood up and going a little too far. It’s also a very minor, largely technical violation of the rule. There was obviously no intent to deceive, and there was no ambiguity about who had written the editorial text. Consider these two alternative posts: [QUOTE=Poster A] [QUOTE=Poster X] _\_ [/quote] That is one of the very best examples I’ve seen of “Better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak out and remove all doubt.” [/QUOTE] [QUOTE=Poster A] [QUOTE=Poster X] _\_ [/quote] What lunacy! That is one of the very best examples I’ve seen of “Better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak out and remove all doubt.” [/QUOTE] While the first one is a violation of the rules, and the second is not, the distinction between the two is not enough to sustain giving a warning to the first one. The semantic content is identical. By warning the first one, I’d be, in effect, giving someone a warning for improperly formatting their post. And I’m just not enough of an asshole to do that. > [@simster](#): > > But this happens to be a ‘bright line’ rule - one in which posters have been warned for accidents - and this one was clearly no accident (again, by a well established poster). I’m not aware of any situation involving someone getting warned for this specific rule, and claiming that it had been an accident. We don’t warn people for accidentally breaking the rules - but we don’t necessarily always believe people when they say they posted something by accident. Without knowing the specific examples you’re referencing here, I can’t really comment on why they received warnings instead of mod notes. > [@](#): > > Hell - did we not just have a HUGE thread on the rules on quoting? I dunno, did we? Not everyone reads every thread - particularly in ATMB. And not everybody remembers every thread they’ve read. I’m not going to come down heavier on someone because there’s a thread on another forum that, for all I know, they’ve never even seen. ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2016, 5:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-okay-to-use-snip-to-indicate-removed-text-in-a-quote-box/755328/24 "2016-05-22T17:39:29Z")
> [@simster](#): > > In this case - I am reffering to the trump/drumpf saga - in which case the poster that violated the rule may not have even been aware due to the browser plugin doing the switching - See [http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=786463&highlight=drumpf](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=786463&highlight=drumpf) and post #9. > > The most recent thread about altering quote boxes was on the changing of a comma to a period - and the poster was not warned but noted, because the change > a) could have been an accident > b) didn’t alter the overall meaning of the text > > but it was noted in that thread again - the rules regarding quoting. > > The post in question in this thread was ‘no accident’. Sorry, didn’t see this post. Your link doesn’t go to the warning, though, it goes to someone describing the warning which isn’t really that much help. Without seeing the specific warning, it doesn’t seem like a great example of someone changing a quote “by accident,” since one doesn’t generally “accidentally” download and install a program that alters the text you write online. But, really, the whole quote changing browser extension thing is a sufficiently novel situation that I don’t think it’s a great source of precedent for anything other than issues specifically around quote changing browser extensions. ---
**Author:** ![Asimovian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asimovian/32/172_2.png) [@Asimovian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Asimovian)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2016, 6:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-okay-to-use-snip-to-indicate-removed-text-in-a-quote-box/755328/25 "2016-05-22T18:13:57Z")
> [@engineer\_comp\_geek](#): > > Yeah, good luck with that. The last round of new mods hasn’t even received their cups yet. Hey,\*\* IvoryTowerDenizen\*\*, it looks like they’re at least _acknowledging_ the tremendous injustice, now! The first step is the hardest… ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2016, 7:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-okay-to-use-snip-to-indicate-removed-text-in-a-quote-box/755328/26 "2016-05-22T19:17:49Z")
Dude, even though I objected to the Drumpf Warning, even I recognize that it was only after several mod notes. Though I will say it was accidental–in that the addon was not advertised as modifying outgoing text. It was crappily designed, and got even legit journalists in trouble. And the mods did say he could keep using it–as long as he’d manually change the text back. Still, I can’t think of any other situation where accidentally doing something multiple times couldn’t get you a Warning. ---
**Author:** ![IvoryTowerDenizen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ivorytowerdenizen/32/17937_2.png) [@IvoryTowerDenizen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IvoryTowerDenizen)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2016, 10:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-okay-to-use-snip-to-indicate-removed-text-in-a-quote-box/755328/27 "2016-05-22T22:26:48Z")
> [@Asimovian](#): > > Hey,\*\* IvoryTowerDenizen\*\*, it looks like they’re at least _acknowledging_ the tremendous injustice, now! The first step is the hardest… Give me my mug! 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Irishman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/b487fb/32.png) [@Irishman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Irishman)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2016, 11:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-okay-to-use-snip-to-indicate-removed-text-in-a-quote-box/755328/28 "2016-05-22T23:00:32Z")
> [@simster](#): > > In this case - I am reffering to the trump/drumpf saga - in which case the poster that violated the rule may not have even been aware due to the browser plugin doing the switching - See [http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=786463&highlight=drumpf](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=786463&highlight=drumpf) and post #9. That thread does not show an example of anyone receiving a warning as a first hit. However, what it does show is some people receiving Notes even after they were aware it was against the rules and they indicated they were aware and didn’t care. To be clear, **bienville** mentions three posts by **SlackerInc** , only the third incident drew a Warning. ---
**Author:** ![Morgenstern](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Morgenstern](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morgenstern)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2016, 1:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-okay-to-use-snip-to-indicate-removed-text-in-a-quote-box/755328/29 "2016-05-23T13:05:34Z")
> [@IvoryTowerDenizen](#): > > Give me my mug! > > 🙂 They are back folks. SDMB coffee mugs. Get them here. > **[Sdmb Mugs - CafePress](https://www.cafepress.com/+sdmb+mugs)** > > Shop Sdmb Mugs from CafePress. Browse tons of unique designs or create your own custom coffee mug with text and images. Our mugs are made of durable ceramic that’s dishwasher and microwave safe. ✓Free Returns ✓High Quality Printing ✓Fast Shipping (the **GD** mug shown) ---
**Author:** ![watchwolf49](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e9c0ed/32.png) [@watchwolf49](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/watchwolf49)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2016, 3:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-okay-to-use-snip-to-indicate-removed-text-in-a-quote-box/755328/30 "2016-05-23T15:14:43Z")
“Cite !?” … is that **Czarcasm**? ---
**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:** [May 23, 2016, 3:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-okay-to-use-snip-to-indicate-removed-text-in-a-quote-box/755328/31 "2016-05-23T15:20:07Z")
> [@watchwolf49](#): > > “Cite !?” … is that **Czarcasm**? I am conflicted-Do I feel offended…or demand royalties? 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Jonathan\_Chance](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jonathan_chance/32/701_2.png) [@Jonathan\_Chance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jonathan_Chance)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2016, 3:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-okay-to-use-snip-to-indicate-removed-text-in-a-quote-box/755328/32 "2016-05-23T15:43:54Z")
> [@Morgenstern](#): > > They are back folks. SDMB coffee mugs. Get them here. > > [Sdmb Mugs - CafePress](http://www.cafepress.com/+sdmb+mugs) > > (the **GD** mug shown) Note to all: not official merchandise. Still cool, though. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2016, 4:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-okay-to-use-snip-to-indicate-removed-text-in-a-quote-box/755328/33 "2016-05-23T16:53:05Z")
> [@simster](#): > > In this case - I am reffering to the trump/drumpf saga - in which case the poster that violated the rule may not have even been aware due to the browser plugin doing the switching - See [http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=786463&highlight=drumpf](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=786463&highlight=drumpf) and post #9. > > '. Setting up stuff so that “Trump” is changed to “drumpf” is not a accident. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2016, 7:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-okay-to-use-snip-to-indicate-removed-text-in-a-quote-box/755328/34 "2016-05-23T19:11:05Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > Setting up stuff so that “Trump” is changed to “drumpf” is not a accident. The “accident” part comes in when the person wasn’t aware that this would also change text inside of quotes. Or, the person didn’t think it through. IOW, not done on purpose, therefore it’s an accident. But… once the poster does know, any future infractions would not be. ---
**Author:** ![Voyager](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/voyager/32/133_2.png) [@Voyager](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Voyager)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2016, 7:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-okay-to-use-snip-to-indicate-removed-text-in-a-quote-box/755328/35 "2016-05-24T07:15:28Z")
Since we’re on the subject, how about spelling errors in quoted text? Clearly if you call attention to them it could be jerkish, but I’ve done enough editing to have an urge to silently correct them - which I mostly resist. ---
**Author:** ![bienville](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/4bbf92/32.png) [@bienville](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bienville)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2016, 8:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-okay-to-use-snip-to-indicate-removed-text-in-a-quote-box/755328/36 "2016-05-24T08:21:48Z")
> [@Morgenstern](#): > > It’s also okay to … Except when it’s confusing. ---
**Author:** ![Frank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Frank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frank)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2016, 9:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-okay-to-use-snip-to-indicate-removed-text-in-a-quote-box/755328/37 "2016-05-24T09:35:04Z")
> [@Voyager](#): > > Since we’re on the subject, how about spelling errors in quoted text? Clearly if you call attention to them it could be jerkish, but I’ve done enough editing to have an urge to silently correct them - which I mostly resist. If your inner pedant absolutely insists, I believe that [sic] is a standard editorial practice. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Jonathan\_Chance](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jonathan_chance/32/701_2.png) [@Jonathan\_Chance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jonathan_Chance)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2016, 11:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-okay-to-use-snip-to-indicate-removed-text-in-a-quote-box/755328/38 "2016-05-24T11:03:41Z")
Not best practices, though. It could end up looking like you’re mocking he quoted poster. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2016, 11:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-okay-to-use-snip-to-indicate-removed-text-in-a-quote-box/755328/39 "2016-05-24T11:06:44Z")
> [@Frank](#): > > If your inner pedant absolutely insists, I believe that [sic] is a standard editorial practice. 🙂 But the use of _sic_ calls attention to the misspelling, right? If someone misspells multiple words, or even intentionally uses text speak spelling, repeatedly adding _sic_ is a potentially a negative comment on the quoted text. ETA: withdrawn, didn’t see Chance’s comment. PPS: you meant _the_, not _he_, right? _sigh_ ---
**Author:** ![Frank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Frank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frank)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2016, 11:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-okay-to-use-snip-to-indicate-removed-text-in-a-quote-box/755328/40 "2016-05-24T11:07:31Z")
> [@Jonathan\_Chance](#): > > Not best practices, though. It could end up looking like you’re mocking he quoted poster. That’s true, and that’s the concern of **Voyager**. I wouldn’t use it in quoting another poster, though I might on an outside quote. It was sort of a joke. I guess we can agree that it wasn’t a good one. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-okay-to-use-snip-to-indicate-removed-text-in-a-quote-box/755328.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-okay-to-use-snip-to-indicate-removed-text-in-a-quote-box/755328.md?page=3)