# When is a -tard not a -tard? **URL:** \ **Category:** About This Message Board\ **Created:** [April 14, 2015, 1:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-is-a-tard-not-a-tard/717639 "2015-04-14T13:39:40Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 1\ **Showing post:** 60
**Author:** ![tomndebb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b9e5f3/32.png) [@tomndebb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tomndebb)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2015, 9:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-is-a-tard-not-a-tard/717639/60 "2015-04-15T21:19:51Z")
> [@Darth\_Panda](#): > > In this thread, all threads, or all forums moderated by you? > > Follow up question: > Same question for freeptard. > > Basically, I’m curious as to the distintion between ‘should be avoided’ and ‘against the rules’ as well as what the standard will be for deciding when moderator action is appropriate as well as any difference between application of the rule between the two words (both idiotic) currently being discussed. > > Thanks. > [@Castro Absolves Obama of Fault For US Blockade](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/castro-absolves-obama-of-fault-for-us-blockade/717442/34): > > Do not create or use words employing the insulting suffix -tard in this forum. > > [/Moderating] We are generally not going to make up individual rules for individual words. I cannot predict the specific behavior of every Mod, but I am pretty sure that the use of -tard outside The BBQ Pit is going to get Mod attention. ETA: While looking over the use of -tard, I found this statement > [@](#): > > You and your fascist libtard commiesymp undestanding of history! In THOSE days, beatings and rape were considered PERKS … and they still would be, if we were made from the same stern moral fiber as our forebears! Given the context, I doubt that it would have been Modded. Similarly, no one is going to go back through this thread handing out demerits to those posting the word. Despite the popularity of rules lawyering among some posters on the SDMB, the staff would like to think that the majority of posters have the capacity to make some judgments on their own. --- _[View the full topic](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-is-a-tard-not-a-tard/717639)._