# 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:** 7
**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 11, 2012, 8:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-did-the-restricted-language-in-the-pit-rules-come-from/624246/121 "2012-06-11T20:53:54Z")
When you have nothing left but that tired old “circle the wagons” crap, I figure there’s nothing of value to respond to. ---
**Author:** ![Myrnalene](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c4cdca/32.png) [@Myrnalene](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Myrnalene)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2012, 8:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-did-the-restricted-language-in-the-pit-rules-come-from/624246/122 "2012-06-11T20:57:06Z")
Way to artfully dodge having to back up your statement about a “tiny number of posters”. ---
**Author:** ![bucketybuck](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/898d66/32.png) [@bucketybuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bucketybuck)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2012, 9:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-did-the-restricted-language-in-the-pit-rules-come-from/624246/123 "2012-06-11T21:01:10Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > I get that a tiny number of posters think this. What gets my goat is that you seem to think that I don’t understand, when the truth is that I _do_ understand, but i disagree vehemently. > Once again: it is entirely possible to totally understand your position _and still disagree with it._ You have your opinion, and _my_ opinion is that you are wrong. > > Get it? Can we clarify what you actually disagree with, because I am pretty sure that we both perfectly agree that this is a private message board that can set whatever rules it wants. So I ask a simple question. Do you think the rules prohibiting the use of certain words in the pit is a good rule or a bad rule? Do you think that rule improves the board as a whole? No ulterior motives here, what do you think of the actual rule itself? ---
**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 11, 2012, 9:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-did-the-restricted-language-in-the-pit-rules-come-from/624246/124 "2012-06-11T21:14:36Z")
> [@bucketybuck](#): > > Can we clarify what you actually disagree with, because I am pretty sure that we both perfectly agree that this is a private message board that can set whatever rules it wants. > > So I ask a simple question. Do you think the rules prohibiting the use of certain words in the pit is a good rule or a bad rule? Do you think that rule improves the board as a whole? > > No ulterior motives here, what do you think of the actual rule itself? Ed seems to find those particular words and/or phrases offensive, and since I can’t think of any possible conversation that would be crippled without their use I see no reason whatsoever not to honor his wishes. I have been in uncountable number of places and situations in my life where uttering those words and/or phrases would be considered totally inappropriate, and in none of them did I feel as if I was being treated as if I were a child. Some things you can say and do _here_ would not be allowed _there_, and some other things you can say and do _there_ might not be allowed to be said and done in some other place. Adulthood is filled with compromise, and it is very seldom when an attitude of “If I can’t say everything I want without limit I am being persecuted!” is appropriate. ---
**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 11, 2012, 9:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-did-the-restricted-language-in-the-pit-rules-come-from/624246/125 "2012-06-11T21:16:38Z")
In real life, if I am in a situation where I may refer to someone as a cum-guzzling goat felcher, cunt would pass by unremarked. That is not the case here. ---
**Author:** ![bucketybuck](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/898d66/32.png) [@bucketybuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bucketybuck)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2012, 9:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-did-the-restricted-language-in-the-pit-rules-come-from/624246/126 "2012-06-11T21:18:39Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > Ed seems to find those particular words and/or phrases offensive, and since I can’t think of any possible conversation that would be crippled without their use I see no reason whatsoever to honor his wishes. I have been in uncountable number of places and situations in my life where uttering those words and/or phrases would be considered totally inappropriate, and in none of them did I feel as if I was being treated as if I were a child. Some things you can say and do _here_ would not be allowed _there_, and some other things you can say and do _there_ might not be allowed to be said and done in some other place. Adulthood is filled with compromise, and it is very seldom when an attitude of “If I can’t say everything I want without limit I am being persecuted!” is appropriate. As I understand it then, you think the rules do not make the board any worse. Do you think they make it any better? ---
**Author:** ![MsWhatsit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/eb8c5e/32.png) [@MsWhatsit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MsWhatsit)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2012, 9:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-did-the-restricted-language-in-the-pit-rules-come-from/624246/127 "2012-06-11T21:21:03Z")
I can’t think of any particular reason I’d ever need to say the words “purple-horneted bumbershoot licker” either, but I’d think it was very silly and childish to ban the phrase from use simply because one person didn’t like the sound of 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 11, 2012, 9:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-did-the-restricted-language-in-the-pit-rules-come-from/624246/128 "2012-06-11T21:31:14Z")
> [@bucketybuck](#): > > As I understand it then, you think the rules do not make the board any worse. > > Do you think they make it any better? Personally, yes. But my opinion really doesn’t matter, any more then my opinion of the carpet pattern in my friend’s living room matters when I am a guest over at his place. And if my friend has a policy of not discussing environmental issues I will refrain from discussing them at his house, whether I find that to be a good idea or not. And even if I thought it was important enough to broach the subject, the terms “ridiculous” or “insane” wouldn’t come up, believe me. ---
**Author:** ![armedmonkey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/d6d6ee/32.png) [@armedmonkey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/armedmonkey)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2012, 9:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-did-the-restricted-language-in-the-pit-rules-come-from/624246/129 "2012-06-11T21:35:07Z")
I think it’s illustrative of **Czarcasm’s** response to criticism of the board by contrasting his reaction the “blow me” thing with **Miller’s** reaction to it. I said I thought **Miller’s** mod note was ridiculous. **Czarcasm** immediately jumps up to defend the note without pausing to think if it even should be defended in the first place. He’s going to argue for the rightness of a policy or mod action no matter what. **Miller** , however, almost as quickly came in and said (paraphrasing) “You’re right. That was ridiculous. I don’t know what I was thinking and I’ve rescinded the note”. **Miller** gets my respect for that. **Czarcasm** on the other hand… Czarcasm never bothers to consider whether a criticism is valid or not. He’s simply going to blindly defend board policy or a mod action regardless of merit. ---
**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 11, 2012, 9:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-did-the-restricted-language-in-the-pit-rules-come-from/624246/130 "2012-06-11T21:50:42Z")
Did you honestly think that I was defending that one note all this time, and not the rules themselves, even though I only referred to that mod note in that first post and the rest of the time I talked about the general rules? If so, I apologize for not being clear. ---
**Author:** ![armedmonkey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/d6d6ee/32.png) [@armedmonkey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/armedmonkey)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2012, 9:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-did-the-restricted-language-in-the-pit-rules-come-from/624246/131 "2012-06-11T21:58:16Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > Did you honestly think that I was defending that one note all this time, and not the rules themselves, even though I only referred to that mod note in that first post and the rest of the time I talked about the general rules? If so, I apologize for not being clear. I wasn’t talking about the “entire” time. I was talking about that one post, and what that one post, contrasted to **Miller’s** , may say about you. Do you deny that you had a knee jerk response to defend without pausing to consider the merit of **Miller’s** note? I’m not talking about the thread here, just that initial post responding to mine. ---
**Author:** ![John\_DiFool](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_difool/32/19543_2.png) [@John\_DiFool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_DiFool)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2012, 12:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-did-the-restricted-language-in-the-pit-rules-come-from/624246/132 "2012-06-12T00:35:10Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > This thread is my cite. If you have a better one, I’d like to see it.. Fine. Can I start a thread in IMHO soliciting everyone’s opinion? [100% dead serious about that] You seemingly have forgotten about the silent majority of lurkers out there undoubtedly nodding their heads in agreement with those assailing the ridiculously arbitrariness of said rule (as they presumably do in just about every debate thread here or GD or wherever) which for someone who has been modding here for as long as you have is pretty astounding in its obtuseness. ---
**Author:** ![Darth\_Panda](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ee7513/32.png) [@Darth\_Panda](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darth_Panda)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2012, 12:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-did-the-restricted-language-in-the-pit-rules-come-from/624246/133 "2012-06-12T00:49:43Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > Although I disagree with it, I understand that to be your opinion. You disagree that they are not mutually exclusive positions. How does that work? ---
**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 12, 2012, 1:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-did-the-restricted-language-in-the-pit-rules-come-from/624246/134 "2012-06-12T01:53:00Z")
> [@bucketybuck](#): > > Its a retarded rule that insults our intelligence as adults. How many times does this need to be explained to you? On the contrary, I see it as a rule that _challenges_ your intelligence as an adult. Children often lack the self-restraint that most adults have. They are also prone to hysteria at times. > [@bucketybuck](#): > > So I ask a simple question. Do you think the rules prohibiting the use of certain words in the pit is a good rule or a bad rule? Do you think that rule improves the board as a whole? Good rule. Yes. See my post on previous page. Driving away hysterics is a good thing. > [@Darth\_Panda](#): > > You disagree that they are not mutually exclusive positions. How does that work? The position was not limited to the mutually exclusive claim. Presumably Czarcasm disagrees with the “Arbitrary and stupid” component of the position. ---
**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 12, 2012, 2:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-did-the-restricted-language-in-the-pit-rules-come-from/624246/135 "2012-06-12T02:06:25Z")
> [@Measure\_for\_Measure](#): > > On the contrary, I see it as a rule that _challenges_ your intelligence as an adult. “You” meaning the general you and not any poster in particular of course… ---
**Author:** ![Alan\_Smithee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/2acd7d/32.png) [@Alan\_Smithee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alan_Smithee)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2012, 2:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-did-the-restricted-language-in-the-pit-rules-come-from/624246/136 "2012-06-12T02:23:38Z")
> [@John\_DiFool](#): > > Fine. Can I start a thread in IMHO soliciting everyone’s opinion? [100% dead serious about that] You seemingly have forgotten about the silent majority of lurkers out there undoubtedly nodding their heads in agreement with those assailing the ridiculously arbitrariness of said rule (as they presumably do in just about every debate thread here or GD or wherever) which for someone who has been modding here for as long as you have is pretty astounding in its obtuseness. I’d be interested in seeing such a survey myself. I have no idea if my position would be the majority one. I mean, I presume that everyone would agree with me, but that’s just because I don’t want to insult anyone by suggesting they’re not smart enough to. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2012, 2:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-did-the-restricted-language-in-the-pit-rules-come-from/624246/137 "2012-06-12T02:26:46Z")
Honestly I think Ed didn’t go far enough. I see no reason at all for personal insults _poster to poster_ anywhere, using any language. Generally such threads are lame anyway. So, while I don’t see the big deal over “cunt” I applaud the general direction. ---
**Author:** ![splatterpunk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/3be4f8/32.png) [@splatterpunk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/splatterpunk)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2012, 4:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-did-the-restricted-language-in-the-pit-rules-come-from/624246/138 "2012-06-12T04:52:41Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > I see no reason at all for personal insults _poster to poster_ anywhere, using any language. And I see no reason at all for kittie picture threads. Or game threads. Or “Woe is me, please give me huggles” threads. Since I hate that shit I stay the fuck away from it. > [@](#): > > So, while I don’t see the big deal over “cunt” I applaud the general direction. And I applaud the fact that you don’t make decisions here. ---
**Author:** ![Syme](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/47e85d/32.png) [@Syme](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Syme)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2012, 5:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-did-the-restricted-language-in-the-pit-rules-come-from/624246/139 "2012-06-12T05:21:07Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > I “don’t get it” _because I disagree with it_. How are _you_ not getting _that?_ > The guy who runs this message board has decided that there are certain words and phrases that he doesn’t wish to be used on said message board, and because he is the one running this message board he is under no obligation to justify his decisions to me, you, or any other poster. I(and apparently the majority of other posters on this board) don’t find this confusing and/or insane at all. I know I am new here, but as an experienced poster elsewhere, I know the administratrors are Gods, or at least as my friend Winston Smith said, they are Big Brothers. I don’t see any need for profanity when one needs to insult someone, there are plenty of words who can do the job without incurring the ire of the local God. ---
**Author:** ![VinylTurnip](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b2d939/32.png) [@VinylTurnip](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VinylTurnip)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2012, 5:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-did-the-restricted-language-in-the-pit-rules-come-from/624246/140 "2012-06-12T05:39:25Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > So, while I don’t see the big deal over “cunt” I applaud the general direction. Hope you don’t hear an echo. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-did-the-restricted-language-in-the-pit-rules-come-from/624246.md?page=6) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-did-the-restricted-language-in-the-pit-rules-come-from/624246.md?page=8)