# Where did the "restricted language in the Pit" rules come from? **URL:** \ **Category:** About This Message Board\ **Created:** [June 6, 2012, 5:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-did-the-restricted-language-in-the-pit-rules-come-from/624246 "2012-06-06T05:24:50Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![Ambivalid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a5b964/32.png) [@Ambivalid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ambivalid)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2012, 5:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-did-the-restricted-language-in-the-pit-rules-come-from/624246/61 "2012-06-08T05:52:47Z")
> [@Giraffe](#): > > I repeatedly asked… and others who felt…to find some other threads that supported that assertion. No threads were ever presented. It’s always easier to make arguments based on unsupported generalities, but the facts don’t bear them out. It’s funny how this happens… ---
**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:** [June 8, 2012, 5:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-did-the-restricted-language-in-the-pit-rules-come-from/624246/62 "2012-06-08T05:58:15Z")
> [@bucketybuck](#): > > They could chop peoples heads off just for thinking the word cunt. Or they could give you a million pounds every time you say the word cunt. Or they could do any of the million possibilities in between, including their silly little mod notes, (“this is not a warning herp derp”) If it makes you happier, I can start handing out warnings for it instead. ---
**Author:** ![David42](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/5f9b8f/32.png) [@David42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/David42)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2012, 6:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-did-the-restricted-language-in-the-pit-rules-come-from/624246/63 "2012-06-08T06:31:41Z")
> [@Miller](#): > > [Restricted Language in the Pit.](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=508858) > > Don’t worry, it’s not generally a banning offense. Is it permissible for someone to start a thread implying you’re a child molestor? I’m not the kind of person who likes stress and want polite and reasonable debate. But this makes me not want to come here. I have twice overcome a loss of desire to come here over how rude people are if you don’t agree with them, but this one really sucks. ---
**Author:** ![Der\_Trihs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/der_trihs/32/233_2.png) [@Der\_Trihs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Der_Trihs)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2012, 6:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-did-the-restricted-language-in-the-pit-rules-come-from/624246/64 "2012-06-08T06:44:03Z")
> [@Miller](#): > > Is it? When the rule was first instituted (before I was a mod) I made a prediction that we’d be having this conversation pretty much constantly in ATMB. To the best of my recollection (and without doing a search) this is the first thread I’ve seen since then questioning the basic existence of the rule. Well, yes; the rule clearly has little to no rational basis, so it’s not like anyone is going to convince anyone to change the rules. So there’s not much point to posting about it here since there’ll be no effect. ---
**Author:** ![Zeriel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/58956e/32.png) [@Zeriel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zeriel)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2012, 1:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-did-the-restricted-language-in-the-pit-rules-come-from/624246/65 "2012-06-08T13:59:33Z")
> [@Una\_Persson](#): > > I know quite a bit more behind the root cause of the whole thing than most people do, and I can’t discuss it. So no comment either way. I’m sorry, but this is a fantastically useless comment–there is almost never any reason, if you’re in possession of inside information you cannot share, to drag out a statement that boils down to “No, guys, it’s not what you think. I can’t tell you what it is, but (implied) trust me it’s cool.” ---
**Author:** ![bucketybuck](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/898d66/32.png) [@bucketybuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bucketybuck)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2012, 2:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-did-the-restricted-language-in-the-pit-rules-come-from/624246/66 "2012-06-08T14:18:51Z")
> [@Miller](#): > > If it makes you happier, I can start handing out warnings for it instead. As I have already said in the post you quoted, you can do whatever you want, whatever keeps you happy. Ban them, give them lollipops, whatever you want to do. Nothing will change the fact that the rule is a stupid rule, out of place on a board that is supposedly for adults. ---
**Author:** ![Una\_Persson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/una_persson/32/346_2.png) [@Una\_Persson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Una_Persson)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2012, 5:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-did-the-restricted-language-in-the-pit-rules-come-from/624246/67 "2012-06-08T17:02:25Z")
> [@Zeriel](#): > > I’m sorry, but this is a fantastically useless comment–there is almost never any reason, if you’re in possession of inside information you cannot share, to drag out a statement that boils down to “No, guys, it’s not what you think. I can’t tell you what it is, but (implied) trust me it’s cool.” I said **no comment.** That does not mean “trust me it’s cool.” It means **no comment.** Again, I was telling **Fenris** , the only person who matters with respect to that statement as I was quoting him, why I was not addressing his point. I cannot believe I’m being taken to task over such incredibly trivial things. It’s so bizarre and disproportionate that it really makes one wonder. ---
**Author:** ![Inner\_Stickler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/inner_stickler/32/318_2.png) [@Inner\_Stickler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inner_Stickler)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2012, 8:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-did-the-restricted-language-in-the-pit-rules-come-from/624246/68 "2012-06-08T20:40:55Z")
> [@Una\_Persson](#): > > I cannot believe I’m being taken to task over such incredibly trivial things. It’s so bizarre and disproportionate that it really makes one wonder. With all due respect, no one asked you about it. If you elect yourself spokesperson for something, don’t be surprised when you come under fire for it. ---
**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:** [June 8, 2012, 9:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-did-the-restricted-language-in-the-pit-rules-come-from/624246/69 "2012-06-08T21:02:36Z")
I think it would be entertaining if Ed banned the use of the phrase “super-duper poopypants” in The BBQ Pit, just to see the threads in this forum from posters insisting that they just can’t talk like adults unless they are allowed to use that particular phrase. There would of course be many posts in which that phrase would be used over and over again, just on the off-chance that everyone forgot what the phrase in question was(even though it was in the title and in the previous 20 posts). ---
**Author:** ![Una\_Persson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/una_persson/32/346_2.png) [@Una\_Persson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Una_Persson)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2012, 9:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-did-the-restricted-language-in-the-pit-rules-come-from/624246/70 "2012-06-08T21:14:25Z")
> [@Inner\_Stickler](#): > > With all due respect, no one asked you about it. With all due respect, who asked you to post? See how this works now? > [@](#): > > If you elect yourself spokesperson for something… Good thing I never did what. Whew! What a relief! ---
**Author:** ![Inner\_Stickler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/inner_stickler/32/318_2.png) [@Inner\_Stickler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inner_Stickler)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2012, 9:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-did-the-restricted-language-in-the-pit-rules-come-from/624246/71 "2012-06-08T21:37:44Z")
> [@Una\_Persson](#): > > With all due respect, who asked you to post? No one, that’s why I don’t get bitchy when people respond to me. > [@](#): > > Good thing I never did what. > > Whew! What a relief! I don’t know what else to call it when you come into every thread about the administration and explain in lovely supercilious tones why Ed can do no wrong. Even if the rest of us are, in fact, idiots, you’d think that after the 10th time you feel ragged on by a bunch of people, you’d just not post in those threads. ---
**Author:** ![Drunky\_Smurf](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/drunky_smurf/32/449_2.png) [@Drunky\_Smurf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Drunky_Smurf)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2012, 9:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-did-the-restricted-language-in-the-pit-rules-come-from/624246/72 "2012-06-08T21:48:42Z")
> [@Inner\_Stickler](#): > > [Bluenose](http://www.thefreedictionary.com/bluenosed): a puritanical person. _Drunky Smurf, that bluenose, petitioned for Youporn to be shut down._ Thank you good Sir/Ma’am. ---
**Author:** ![Drunky\_Smurf](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/drunky_smurf/32/449_2.png) [@Drunky\_Smurf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Drunky_Smurf)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2012, 9:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-did-the-restricted-language-in-the-pit-rules-come-from/624246/73 "2012-06-08T21:52:21Z")
> [@bucketybuck](#): > > As I have already said in the post you quoted, you can do whatever you want, whatever keeps you happy. Ban them, give them lollipops, whatever you want to do. > > Nothing will change the fact that the rule is a stupid rule, out of place on a board that is supposedly for adults. I vote lollipops. ---
**Author:** ![Myrnalene](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c4cdca/32.png) [@Myrnalene](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Myrnalene)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2012, 10:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-did-the-restricted-language-in-the-pit-rules-come-from/624246/74 "2012-06-08T22:24:05Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > I think it would be entertaining if Ed banned the use of the phrase “super-duper poopypants” in The BBQ Pit, just to see the threads in this forum from posters insisting that they just can’t talk like adults unless they are allowed to use that particular phrase. Why would they? No one has made the argument that they can’t talk like adults unless they are allowed to use the word “cunt”. It’s not really about this one (seemingly arbitrarily chosen) word. If the best you can do to defend this nonsensical rule is pull out strawmen like that, maybe you shouldn’t even bother. ---
**Author:** ![MsWhatsit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/eb8c5e/32.png) [@MsWhatsit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MsWhatsit)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2012, 10:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-did-the-restricted-language-in-the-pit-rules-come-from/624246/75 "2012-06-08T22:57:33Z")
My objection is to the existence of a banned words list. The specific items on that list are less important. ---
**Author:** ![Measure\_for\_Measure](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/measure_for_measure/32/557_2.png) [@Measure\_for\_Measure](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Measure_for_Measure)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2012, 11:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-did-the-restricted-language-in-the-pit-rules-come-from/624246/76 "2012-06-08T23:18:41Z")
> [@Inner\_Stickler](#): > > No one, that’s why I don’t get bitchy when people respond to me. > I don’t know what else to call it when you come into every thread about the administration and explain in lovely supercilious tones why Ed can do no wrong. Even if the rest of us are, in fact, idiots, you’d think that after the 10th time you feel ragged on by a bunch of people, you’d just not post in those threads. So… agreeing with Ed’s decisions automatically makes you a spokesperson? And there’s no other _conceivable_ characterization? ## Wow. Just wow. Regarding this pressing issue of the day, at least to some people: I have zero problem with these restrictions. Before the hammer fell, I had never read a post that used the banned phrases in a worthwhile manner. So there’s no downside. What’s the upside? Well people with an insane sense of persecution are provided with an opportunity to whine. That’s always a crowd pleaser. And the rule complements the first commandment: don’t be a jerk. That is, those who can’t quite manage to ascertain what the prime restriction means -it’s so vague!- are provided with a bright line example. That’s gotta count for something. Also, some snowflakes are propelled into a state of agitation by the merest hint that perhaps they shouldn’t just post anything and everything that crosses their precious minds. An awareness that one’s words can affect others can be a first step on the path of personal growth. So I am 300% for this regulation. ---
**Author:** ![MsWhatsit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/eb8c5e/32.png) [@MsWhatsit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MsWhatsit)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2012, 11:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-did-the-restricted-language-in-the-pit-rules-come-from/624246/77 "2012-06-08T23:23:05Z")
> [@Measure\_for\_Measure](#): > > I have zero problem with these restrictions. Before the hammer fell, I had never read a post that used the banned phrases in a worthwhile manner. > > So there’s no downside. I disagree with all three of these sentences. ---
**Author:** ![Measure\_for\_Measure](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/measure_for_measure/32/557_2.png) [@Measure\_for\_Measure](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Measure_for_Measure)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2012, 11:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-did-the-restricted-language-in-the-pit-rules-come-from/624246/78 "2012-06-08T23:37:55Z")
> [@MsWhatsit](#): > > I disagree with all three of these sentences. Setting aside the nit-picking oddity of MsWhatsit disagreeing about what someone else perceived: > [@Giraffe](#): > > No threads were ever presented. It’s always easier to make arguments based on unsupported generalities, but the facts in this case simply don’t bear them out. I seriously doubt whether anybody outside of elementary school can’t usefully rephrase their cogitations to avoid the prohibited phrases. Think of it as a mental exercise. Sort of like Sudoku. ---
**Author:** ![MsWhatsit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/eb8c5e/32.png) [@MsWhatsit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MsWhatsit)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2012, 11:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-did-the-restricted-language-in-the-pit-rules-come-from/624246/79 "2012-06-08T23:39:39Z")
I meant, obviously, that I disagree that there are no problems with the restrictions. I will readily agree that you have no problems with them. ---
**Author:** ![Una\_Persson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/una_persson/32/346_2.png) [@Una\_Persson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Una_Persson)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2012, 3:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-did-the-restricted-language-in-the-pit-rules-come-from/624246/80 "2012-06-09T03:36:56Z")
> [@Inner\_Stickler](#): > > I don’t know what else to call it when you come into every thread about the administration and explain in lovely supercilious tones why Ed can do no wrong. I did not do that in here. Nor do I come into “every thread about the administration” and do the above. Posts are public, and anyone can read them and draw their own conclusions. Reasonable people will disagree. > [@](#): > > Even if the rest of us are, in fact, idiots, you’d think that after the 10th time you feel ragged on by a bunch of people, you’d just not post in those threads. How unfortunate. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-did-the-restricted-language-in-the-pit-rules-come-from/624246.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-did-the-restricted-language-in-the-pit-rules-come-from/624246.md?page=5)