OK, here are the propose language restrictions in the Pit. I’ll entertain discussion briefly. If your comment is something to the effect of, “we shouldn’t have any restrictions in the Pit,” save yourself the trouble.
The following expressions should not be directed at other posters.
cunt and variants, e.g., cuntlapper
motherfucker
cocksucker
fuck you and variants, e.g., go fuck yourself, fuck off and die, suck my dick, etc.
Terms not referred to above but which are normally considered vulgar (e.g., asshole, prick, bitch) are subject to the following limitations:
occasional use only
no posts consisting solely or mainly of vulgarities.
Don’t play games. For example, don’t say, “X [some offboard personality] is a cunt, and you’re like X.”
So, basically it’s “anything a mod suddenly decides is offensive.” Got it. :rolleyes:
Has it escaped your notice that “suck my dick” is completely unrelated to “go fuck yourself?” And therefore, since it immediately precedes the “etc.” what you’re saying is that you’re reserving the right to decide arbitrarily that something which does not contain the words “go,” “fuck,” or “yourself,” is nonetheless semantically equivalent because you said so.
For someone who ostensibly makes his living writing you seem to have a remarkably casual attitude toward the actual meaning of words.
One: this won’t be retroactive, correct? Because if it is, a whole lot of us are in a world of deep doo-doo.
Two: This is really going to change the character of the BBQ Pit. (Personally, I haven’t decided whether or not I like that yet).
Um… is the infamous phrase “goat felcher” and other variants of “felching” off limits, too? (please don’t hurt me if it is, I’m just looking for clarification to prevent future problems…) Not a typical insult, but in the past it has been slung around the Pit.
Second thought: Ed, is the issue here direct insults of other posters/members of the Dope using offensive language with words referring to sex acts (which could cover most, if not all, of what you list, and f*lch as well)? But you could still use those terms regarding someone/something outside the Doper community? Because that’s what I’m getting out of it.
Yes. Not saying we encourage such things, and if your posting repertoire consisted entirely of obscene rants about politicians or whoever, we’d likely tell you to knock it off. But that’s what our policy has always been.
So am I correct in my interpretation that fuck is only off-limits when used as a verb? IOW, “fuck you” is out, but if used as an adjective, as in “fucking moron,” it’s OK?
I thought about saying that, but after some discussion internally, concluded we’d get a million questions about what did or did not constitute a sexual act. I think the intent is reasonably clear as is.
The general policy on profanity in the Pit is that same as for all forums on the SDMB: We don’t get on your case for an occasional vulgarity, provided you’re not violating some other rule in the process. For example, if you were to call someone a fucking moron in an SDMB forum other than the Pit, that would violate the rule against insults.
