Word Change:How deep is whale poop?

Cecil's Columns/Staff Reports
1

If you run the search for ‘whale’ on the main archive page search this column shows up:
How deep is whale poop?
URL: http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a1_003c.html

But this links to:
How deep is whale shit?
http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a1_003c.html

Why did the word change from ‘poop’ to ‘shit?’

2

handy, both of your links are the same. But the most likely explanation, in any event, is that “poop” dates from the days when the online Straight Dope resided on AOL, where there are restrictions on vulgar language. Once the SD moved to its own site, with its own rules, it was changed back to what was presumably the original question.

3

Thanks, that makes sense.

4

The column can also be found on pages 3-4 of Cecil Adams’ book «The Straight Dope (1984; reissued 1986, 1998)».