# Tomndebb--rules question **URL:** \ **Category:** About This Message Board\ **Created:** [October 17, 2010, 5:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tomndebb-rules-question/557455 "2010-10-17T17:12:01Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**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:** [October 17, 2010, 11:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tomndebb-rules-question/557455/21 "2010-10-17T23:36:11Z")
> [@adhay](#): > > > [@Munch](#): > > > > You started four threads in a week about the (supposedly) same thing. What’s one more going to hurt? > > And? And if you have an issue with one of **tom~**'s rulings, don’t bring it up in this thread. Start a new one to discuss it. While I’m at it, **Guin** , you know well enough to leave the insults out of ATMB. Knock it off. ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2010, 11:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tomndebb-rules-question/557455/22 "2010-10-17T23:36:55Z")
> [@Guinastasia](#): > > I don’t think he knows much of anything. [Mod Note] You should know that insulting other posters is not permitted in ATMB. No warning, but let’s stop the sniping at other posters. ---
**Author:** ![mhendo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mhendo/32/3159_2.png) [@mhendo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mhendo)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2010, 12:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tomndebb-rules-question/557455/23 "2010-10-18T00:05:27Z")
Ooh! Simultaneous mild mod smackdown! ---
**Author:** ![tomndebb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b9e5f3/32.png) [@tomndebb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tomndebb)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2010, 12:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tomndebb-rules-question/557455/24 "2010-10-18T00:24:18Z")
The Captain’s post was submitted when the thread was still in GD and I got a complaint while it was there. I was in the midst of moving the thread and figured it would be a good idea to note that I was not happy to see Pit language in GD, either. I probably used “board” instead of forum, just because the thread was between two different fora. I overstepped my bounds and I apologize. ---
**Author:** ![PlainJain](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/5daacb/32.png) [@PlainJain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PlainJain)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2010, 12:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tomndebb-rules-question/557455/25 "2010-10-18T00:35:11Z")
> [@tomndebb](#): > > The Captain’s post was submitted when the thread was still in GD and I got a complaint while it was there. > > I was in the midst of moving the thread and figured it would be a good idea to note that I was not happy to see Pit language in GD, either. > I probably used “board” instead of forum, just because the thread was between two different fora. > > I overstepped my bounds and I apologize. Accepted. Big of you, well done. ---
**Author:** ![Munch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/munch/32/5281_2.png) [@Munch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Munch)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2010, 1:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tomndebb-rules-question/557455/26 "2010-10-18T01:31:26Z")
> [@tomndebb](#): > > I was in the midst of moving the thread and figured it would be a good idea to note that I was not happy to see Pit language in GD, either. Thanks for the apology. But what does the above mean? The only language restriction in the Pit is a restriction of what insults we’re allowed to use against other posters. That’s only a Pit rule because we’re not allowed to insult posters in any of the other threads. “Pit language” has (apart from direct insults) absolutely nothing to do with naughty words that make you blush. ---
**Author:** ![mhendo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mhendo/32/3159_2.png) [@mhendo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mhendo)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2010, 2:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tomndebb-rules-question/557455/27 "2010-10-18T02:09:02Z")
I’ll echo **Munch** ’s sentiments: i appreciate the apology, but am also curious about your understanding of the relationship between forum and profanity, because my understanding has always been that profanity, _per se_, was not prohibited in any forum, and that the language restrictions on the SDMB are related solely to peronsal abuse and insults. ---
**Author:** ![tomndebb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b9e5f3/32.png) [@tomndebb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tomndebb)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2010, 2:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tomndebb-rules-question/557455/28 "2010-10-18T02:25:38Z")
> [@mhendo](#): > > I’ll echo **Munch** ’s sentiments: i appreciate the apology, but am also curious about your understanding of the relationship between forum and profanity, because my understanding has always been that profanity, _per se_, was not prohibited in any forum, and that the language restrictions on the SDMB are related solely to peronsal abuse and insults. Why are you introducing the topic of profanity to the discussion? ---
**Author:** ![mhendo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mhendo/32/3159_2.png) [@mhendo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mhendo)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2010, 2:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tomndebb-rules-question/557455/29 "2010-10-18T02:28:46Z")
> [@tomndebb](#): > > Why are you introducing the topic of profanity to the discussion? Are you really going to be that obtuse about this issue? What else did you mean when you referred to “Pit language,” if not the sort of profanity represented by the word “cunt”? ---
**Author:** ![Munch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/munch/32/5281_2.png) [@Munch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Munch)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2010, 2:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tomndebb-rules-question/557455/30 "2010-10-18T02:29:50Z")
> [@tomndebb](#): > > Why are you introducing the topic of profanity to the discussion? Did you post this to the wrong thread? This thread is specifically about profanity. Or are you just trying to be obtuse? ---
**Author:** ![Munch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/munch/32/5281_2.png) [@Munch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Munch)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2010, 2:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tomndebb-rules-question/557455/31 "2010-10-18T02:30:52Z")
Wow - an “obtuse” simulpost. ---
**Author:** ![MeanOldLady](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/meanoldlady/32/10737_2.png) [@MeanOldLady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MeanOldLady)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2010, 2:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tomndebb-rules-question/557455/32 "2010-10-18T02:43:19Z")
> [@tomndebb](#): > > Why are you introducing the topic of profanity to the discussion? Why are you dodging the issue? ---
**Author:** ![tomndebb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b9e5f3/32.png) [@tomndebb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tomndebb)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2010, 3:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tomndebb-rules-question/557455/33 "2010-10-18T03:26:47Z")
> [@MeanOldLady](#): > > Why are you dodging the issue? I’m not. I was just curious why mhendo changed the topic from obscenity or lewd language to profanity. There is nothing profane about “cunt.” At any rate, I had already explained my error. I have not paid that much attention to the specific rules of The BBQ Pit and I was dealing with reported posts on the issue of the language and on the thread. I made a hasty call that was wrong. ---
**Author:** ![mhendo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mhendo/32/3159_2.png) [@mhendo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mhendo)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2010, 3:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tomndebb-rules-question/557455/34 "2010-10-18T03:45:01Z")
> [@tomndebb](#): > > I’m not. I was just curious why mhendo changed the topic from obscenity or lewd language to profanity. There is nothing profane about “cunt.” I suspected that might be where you were going with this. All i can say is, Wow! Are you really unaware that profanity is, in general usage, basically a synonym for lewd language and obscenity. Even the Oxford English dictionary notes one of the definitions of “profane” as “ribald, coarse, indecent,” and also notes that such usage is “Now the most common sense of the word.” If you want to stick to a definition of profanity that encompasses merely the unholy, irreligious, or non-sacred, be my guest. Just be prepared to accept that you are explicitly rejecting the most common modern meaning of the term. ---
**Author:** ![Munch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/munch/32/5281_2.png) [@Munch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Munch)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2010, 3:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tomndebb-rules-question/557455/35 "2010-10-18T03:49:02Z")
> [@tomndebb](#): > > I’m not. I was just curious why mhendo changed the topic from obscenity or lewd language to profanity. There is nothing profane about “cunt.” > > At any rate, I had already explained my error. I have not paid that much attention to the specific rules of The BBQ Pit and I was dealing with reported posts on the issue of the language and on the thread. I made a hasty call that was wrong. Will you answer our questions here, or are you going to continue your streak of obtuseness and require us to open a new thread? ---
**Author:** ![XT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/xt/32/456_2.png) [@XT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/XT)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2010, 3:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tomndebb-rules-question/557455/36 "2010-10-18T03:54:46Z")
[QUOTE=mhendo] If you want to stick to a definition of profanity that encompasses merely the unholy, irreligious, or non-sacred, be my guest. Just be prepared to accept that you are explicitly rejecting the most common modern meaning of the term. [/QUOTE] There is nothing profane about the word ‘idiot’, but you aren’t allowed to call someone an idiot in GD. I think that’s where Tom was going with this…calling someone a ‘cunt’, even if you use the Brit definition, is still insulting (and it’s meant to be). Granted, calling someone off board an ‘idiot’ or a ‘cunt’ is permissible, but Tom already acknowledged that he slipped up there, so it’s kind of a moot (or even mute :p) point, right? -XT ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2010, 5:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tomndebb-rules-question/557455/37 "2010-10-18T05:27:48Z")
> [@tomndebb](#): > > The Captain’s post was submitted when the thread was still in GD and I got a complaint while it was there. > > I was in the midst of moving the thread and figured it would be a good idea to note that I was not happy to see Pit language in GD, either. > I probably used “board” instead of forum, just because the thread was between two different fora. > > I overstepped my bounds and I apologize. > [@xtisme](#): > > \ > Granted, calling someone off board an ‘idiot’ or a ‘cunt’ is permissible, but Tom already acknowledged that he slipped up there, so it’s kind of a moot (or even mute :p) point, right? > > -XT He acknowledged he slipped up, but in my opinion, he doesn’t seem to understand what his error was. As far as I know, we can call an off-board entity anything we want, in any forum. There is no such thing as language exclusive to the Pit here, barring insulting other posters. ---
**Author:** ![adhay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecd19e/32.png) [@adhay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/adhay)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2010, 5:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tomndebb-rules-question/557455/38 "2010-10-18T05:45:59Z")
So if I said that **guin** is incapable of insulting me, would I (hypothetically) be insulting **guin**? ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2010, 5:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tomndebb-rules-question/557455/39 "2010-10-18T05:49:37Z")
> [@adhay](#): > > So if I said that **guin** is incapable of insulting me, would I (hypothetically) be insulting **guin**? I dunno, you could be insulting yourself.😉 ---
**Author:** ![adhay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecd19e/32.png) [@adhay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/adhay)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2010, 5:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tomndebb-rules-question/557455/40 "2010-10-18T05:51:49Z")
> [@Colibri](#): > > I dunno, you could be insulting yourself.😉 When have I not? 😉 [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tomndebb-rules-question/557455.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tomndebb-rules-question/557455.md?page=3)