# Proposed language restrictions in the Pit **URL:** \ **Category:** About This Message Board\ **Created:** [March 1, 2009, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/proposed-language-restrictions-in-the-pit/487910 "2009-03-01T20:44:00Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Ed\_Zotti](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/fbc32d/32.png) [@Ed\_Zotti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ed_Zotti)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2009, 9:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/proposed-language-restrictions-in-the-pit/487910/21 "2009-03-01T21:18:04Z")
> [@Measure\_for\_Measure](#): > > I take it that WTF, either in its abbreviated or explicit form, would not fall under these guidelines. > > “F-ck off Joe Poster”: not allowed. > > “What the f-ck is your problem, JP?” Permitted. > Do I misunderstand? No, your understanding is correct. ---
**Author:** ![aldiboronti](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9fc348/32.png) [@aldiboronti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aldiboronti)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2009, 9:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/proposed-language-restrictions-in-the-pit/487910/22 "2009-03-01T21:22:25Z")
OK, that’s not as bad as I’d feared. I was beginning to think that the forbidden words couldn’t be used in any context. I can live quite comfortably with that. ---
**Author:** ![Ed\_Zotti](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/fbc32d/32.png) [@Ed\_Zotti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ed_Zotti)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2009, 9:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/proposed-language-restrictions-in-the-pit/487910/23 "2009-03-01T21:23:02Z")
> [@IvoryTowerDenizen](#): > > But, if the people for whom the rules are meant are saying that the intent and implementation are _not_ reasonably clear, shouldn’t that matter? I’m happy to make it, “No invitations to perform a sexual act,” but you know as well as I do that we’ll get a whole different collection of people who will think _that’s_ too vague, and will want to spend days on hypotheticals and clarifications. Nonetheless, if you can think of a way of phrasing this that’s clear to all, I’m open to suggestions. ---
**Author:** ![wring](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/838e76/32.png) [@wring](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wring)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2009, 9:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/proposed-language-restrictions-in-the-pit/487910/24 "2009-03-01T21:24:31Z")
> [@bluecanary](#): > > I suppose the category is along the lines of “don’t use an insult that refers to the performance of a sexual act”, perhaps? Apparently. However, in use “fuck off” and “fuck you” are **not** really suggesting that the object engage in a sexual act, but is, rather, an insult, having nothing whatsoever to do with sexuality, but more so with the vulgarity of the term (ie it’s not supposed to be used in polite society type of thing). which makes it rather odd that we can say pretty much any other rude thing, including swearing and using language I’d not use in a business meeting, but not this one. Whatever, dude. ---
**Author:** ![Boozahol\_Squid\_P.I](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/d9b06d/32.png) [@Boozahol\_Squid\_P.I](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boozahol_Squid_P.I)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2009, 9:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/proposed-language-restrictions-in-the-pit/487910/25 "2009-03-01T21:26:20Z")
This is significantly better than Rule #2. While I suppose I can understand other posters concerns that this may be a little bit difficult to get used to at first, at least it’s a much clearer set of guidelines than ‘no abuse, insults are okay’. Thanks, Ed. ---
**Author:** ![Gfactor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/9de053/32.png) [@Gfactor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gfactor)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2009, 9:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/proposed-language-restrictions-in-the-pit/487910/26 "2009-03-01T21:26:27Z")
> [@IvoryTowerDenizen](#): > > But, if the people for whom the rules are meant are saying that the intent and implementation are _not_ reasonably clear, shouldn’t that matter? It’s proposed language. Can you suggest a change that would make it clearer? That’s the point of this thread. ---
**Author:** ![Scissorjack](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c67d28/32.png) [@Scissorjack](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scissorjack)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2009, 9:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/proposed-language-restrictions-in-the-pit/487910/27 "2009-03-01T21:26:43Z")
> [@George Washington](#): > > The General\* is sorry to be informed that the foolish and wicked practice of swearing, a vice heretofore little known in an American army, is growing into fashion. He hopes the officers will, by example as well as influence, endeavour to check it, and that both they and the men will reflect, that we can have little hope of the blessing of Heaven on our arms, if we insult it by our impiety and folly. Added to this, it is a vice so mean and low, without any temptation, that every man of sense and character detests and despises it. \*No, really. It was a General Order issued in New York in 1776, the efficacy {can I say efficacy?} of which I leave you to judge for yourselves. As ever, I am indebted to Ashley Montague’s _The Anatomy Of Swearing_ for the quote. ---
**Author:** ![Ed\_Zotti](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/fbc32d/32.png) [@Ed\_Zotti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ed_Zotti)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2009, 9:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/proposed-language-restrictions-in-the-pit/487910/28 "2009-03-01T21:27:30Z")
Will be tied up with other things for a few hours but will field questions when I return. ---
**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:** [March 1, 2009, 9:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/proposed-language-restrictions-in-the-pit/487910/29 "2009-03-01T21:29:53Z")
> [@Ed\_Zotti](#): > > I’m happy to make it, “No invitations to perform a sexual act,” but you know as well as I do that we’ll get a whole different collection of people who will think _that’s_ too vague, and will want to spend days on hypotheticals and clarifications. Nonetheless, if you can think of a way of phrasing this that’s clear to all, I’m open to suggestions. Right- so my suggestion is to make the rules as specific and limited as possible. For example- do not add “suck my dick”, or any other phrase not a variant of “Fuck off” to the list. Wait and see- assess if the narrowest set rules achieve your goal. If not, add a few more and reassess. It is much better from a morale perspective to be as transparent as possible with any rule changes. Ironically, I have sworn more times in this thread than i have during my posting tenure on this board trying to determine how not to be vulgar under the new rules. Odd. ---
**Author:** ![Count\_Blucher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c5a1d2/32.png) [@Count\_Blucher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Count_Blucher)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2009, 9:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/proposed-language-restrictions-in-the-pit/487910/30 "2009-03-01T21:35:09Z")
This will only hurt for a moment you [Dirty, Dirty Birds…!](http://z.hubpages.com/u/365315_f520.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![Gfactor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/9de053/32.png) [@Gfactor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gfactor)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2009, 9:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/proposed-language-restrictions-in-the-pit/487910/31 "2009-03-01T21:47:00Z")
> [@IvoryTowerDenizen](#): > > Ironically, I have sworn more times in this thread than i have during my posting tenure on this board trying to determine how not to be vulgar under the new rules. Odd. It is a bitter irony, isn’t it. I curse like a wounded pirate in my personal life. Yet during these discussions I find myself using these words if not more, then at least in contexts where I normally would not. Similarly, a good obscenity case can cause a federal judge to describe the contents of a series of bestiality films in rather frank detail. _See_, _United States v. Guglielmi_, 819 F.2d 451 (4th Cir. 1987): [http://vlex.com/vid/united-states-america-louis-guglielmi-37154231](http://vlex.com/vid/united-states-america-louis-guglielmi-37154231) 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Oakminster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/77aa72/32.png) [@Oakminster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oakminster)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2009, 10:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/proposed-language-restrictions-in-the-pit/487910/32 "2009-03-01T22:18:28Z")
So “Suck my dick” is bad. Does that include: 1. Blow me 2. Fellate a goat 3. Eat twat (dunno I’ve ever seen that used as an insult, but in the interest of gender equity…) Also need to clarify rules for mods/admins. If we can’t pit them, then they can’t do anything in the pit other than moderate. No joining in, no snarking at anybody, no defending pit targets, including Planned Parenthood. Still not happy about this, and think it is completely unnecessary. That said, we appear to be headed in a direction I can tolerate. We of the Snuggly Puppy Brigade shall, of course, remain vigilant. ---
**Author:** ![Khadaji](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Khadaji](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Khadaji)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2009, 10:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/proposed-language-restrictions-in-the-pit/487910/33 "2009-03-01T22:22:45Z")
OK. I will abide by these rules. ---
**Author:** ![MsWhatsit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/eb8c5e/32.png) [@MsWhatsit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MsWhatsit)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2009, 10:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/proposed-language-restrictions-in-the-pit/487910/34 "2009-03-01T22:39:31Z")
I like it. Relatively unambiguous. Although would like some clarification on whether expressions such as “go felch a goat” or “tongue my balls” etc. (I feel dirty just having typed that… ew) would be acceptable, as they don’t include the verboten words but basically mean the same thing. ---
**Author:** ![wring](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/838e76/32.png) [@wring](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wring)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2009, 10:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/proposed-language-restrictions-in-the-pit/487910/35 "2009-03-01T22:52:22Z")
Since I rarely posted such stuff at other posters, I doubt that I’ll run afoul of the rules. My opinion of them, however, cannot be posted here. \*(many other comments deleted) \* ---
**Author:** ![I\_Love\_Me\_Vol.I](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/i_love_me_vol.i/32/521_2.png) [@I\_Love\_Me\_Vol.I](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/I_Love_Me_Vol.I)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2009, 11:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/proposed-language-restrictions-in-the-pit/487910/36 "2009-03-01T23:06:32Z")
Well, **Ed Zotti** … it’s your board. You can run it as you see fit and make whatever rules you want. I don’t think anyone here would deny that simple fact. However, you must realize that this is going to drive some people away. Apparently that is a price you are willing to pay to enforce your idea of civility. Again, that’s your call. I just wonder how many members leaving the Dope would it take before this affects the bottom line? I’m guessing it would take a _huge_ migration before profits would be noticeably harmed leading you to consider reversing these new policies. I have just signed up as a member on “that other board” and I’m looking forward to seeing it grow. Perhaps it will supplant the SDMB as “the place to go” for intelligent, unfettered discussion of Everything Under the Sun. I know it doesn’t matter to you or anyone else where I, personally, decide to post/not post, but I just wanted to make my feelings known–sort of like a “letter to the editor” complaining about the new, watered-down direction a newspaper is going and of my intention to start subscribing to a different paper. Though I will let my Charter Membership lapse, for the time being I will probably stick around, lurk and maybe even post here occasionally until I see how things sort themselves out both here and on the “other board”. It is my prerogative to do so–even as I complain about the new policies. I want to add, however, that I can appreciate where you are coming from. I believe that your motivations are honest and true–that you are just tired of seeing so much pointless, vulgar, and abusive ranting in the Pit. But, I simply don’t think your solution is a sound one. Your new policy, however well-intended, will diminish the value of the SDMB for _me_ (not because I can’t call someone a ‘cunt’ in the Pit anymore, but because of a domino-effect leading to a certain “chilling” of the rhetoric of the Dope in general, and the probable loss of some Members whose postings I’d enjoyed). I do honestly wish you luck with all this… I am sure the SDMB will remain a desirable net destination for many people. ---
**Author:** ![Frank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Frank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frank)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2009, 11:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/proposed-language-restrictions-in-the-pit/487910/37 "2009-03-01T23:06:44Z")
While I still think the rule is unnecessary and schoolmarmish, it is at least clearer now. That is appreciated. On the off-chance that - somehow - the word “fuck” slips into a thread title of mine, please replace it with “intercourse”. As in, “Oh, intercourse the penguin!” Thanks much! [/end obligatory stealing jokes from Monty Python] ---
**Author:** ![TVeblen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/4bbf92/32.png) [@TVeblen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TVeblen)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2009, 12:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/proposed-language-restrictions-in-the-pit/487910/38 "2009-03-02T00:07:02Z")
The Official Bad Word List. That’s…that’s…actually, I can’t think of a single tactful thing to say about that. I am quite anxious about the ever-sensitive tone of the board is responding to these changes. Hmmm. I’m not sure one could quite call it _elevated_ yet. Maybe mild tumescence? Partially engorged, with faint throbbing? Darn, all signs indicate flaccidity. I await breathlessly the inevitable angst over MPSIMS threads on memorable zit eruptions, comparisons of the relative size, color and texture of menstrual clots and of course the recurring threads about bowel movements. ---
**Author:** ![DSeid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dseid/32/20194_2.png) [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2009, 12:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/proposed-language-restrictions-in-the-pit/487910/39 "2009-03-02T00:18:11Z")
Is “regards off” okay? ---
**Author:** ![Baldwin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/baldwin/32/7264_2.png) [@Baldwin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baldwin)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2009, 12:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/proposed-language-restrictions-in-the-pit/487910/40 "2009-03-02T00:42:17Z")
> [@Ed\_Zotti](#): > > 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. It’s no trouble at all. We don’t need these ridiculous rules. The deeper you get into this, the more respect you lose. I suggest you just reboot to a week ago, and we can all forget about this bullshit. Oh, and what about sig lines? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/proposed-language-restrictions-in-the-pit/487910.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/proposed-language-restrictions-in-the-pit/487910.md?page=3)