Profanity using the @ symbol is still profanity...

i'm sure it will... just wait.

• Jenny-girl Said:

Since I'm the OP of this topic I thought I'd just mention that I had no idea that this would become so heated before I started it. I was noticing that more and more often people were using the @ symbol to type out what they already knew was a "questionable" word(s). I guess I was hoping that most people would just say something like "Yeah, I noticed that too" or maybe "Whoops, that was probably me. Sorry about that." And that such cases would become fewer as a result.

Are you saying that the word cr@p is considered a curse word? I have used that word quite often but I didn't use it in a disrespectful way, to me that word is just another word and I have never thought of it as a curse word.....I do apologize and won't use it again and I will be very careful what I use here as I did NOT realize young children were using this site. Although I agree on freedom of speech and after reading the opinions here regarding language I have had a chance to step back and reevaluate my own use of language and reminded myself why I like this place and that is it's family oriented and clean. So in the future u won't be bleeping out any of my words. This icon is just to let u know that I will be cleaning up my language. Again, I apologize for using inappropriate language even though I never intended to offend anyone.

I do not find it appropriate to use them in threads where kids can read them. Howeve in a pm or whatever that is your business..

One thing that just came to my attention.. My DD just signed up and on one of her Lo's I found that someone ( that posted her opinion here) left her a comment with *ss it is the same thing to use symblos the to say the word. Maybe I am overreacting but that made me mad !! I do not see the whole point to that. Bottom line is censoring a word is the same as saying it.
Just please don't use those !@@#$$$ where kids can read them.
Does anybody know how I can please delete that comment from her gallery??

It also made my DD upset.

I believe the person that left the comment is the only one that can delete the comment. U'r right about what we say in a PM is our business otherwise is wouldn't be called a PM (PRIVATE MESSAGE)
Tell me where I can find this LO, I would like to take a look if u don't mind. No child should have a nagative comment cuz it is devastating to them.

• ShirleyJB Said:

It doesn't really work to justify your word by it's meaning if you are using it as an insult and not in context. Also, I would have to disagree that curse words are ever actually necessary b/c I communicate just fine without them.

Also, while I get that some people curse and that is just how they speak or whatever, I still don't see it as an issue of "censorship," but more of an issue of following the rules of a site that you choose to be a part of. (and therefore are choosing to be subject to those rules).

• PattyBee Said:

Just wanted to let you know that I wouldn't have thought people would get so heated about this either...shows what we know!

Mom, send Megan the link to the layout with the offensive comment and she can probably delete it.

• judyQ Said:

Thank you very much, I will do just that!

• PattyBee Said:

Patty, no one here is supposed to cuss regardless. I agree its childish and uncouthe.

• mOm23girls Said:

Send me a link - I'll take care of it!

Not to change the subject, but scrapsaholic, your avatar is really creeping me out! Is that a fungus?

Go Megan Go!!!

I have no problem with reporting ANY cussing I see. I did not join this site to see people cuss. I am happy they are so strict about it.
Call me whatever you want, just don't cuss here. LOL

• Amanda from PA Said:

Me too!!! LOL!

• Amanda from PA Said:

Lol I was gonna say the same thing. LOL

• Dawn In AZ Said:

Ditto!

There are plenty of cussing allowed sites. No reason to come and soil this site.

• riverroadrn Said:

i haven't read all the posts yet, but had to respond when i read this post. i so totally agree about the PC thing. it is very frustrating and when they censor a person's name because it might have been meant as a swear word.....come on folks!

i would love to go about this subject, but then it would get mopped so....off to another subject...

I don't understand why anyone would get upset about someone asking this question.

It is ether a yes or no answer, and the answer is yes it is still profanity.

The only debate there should be is to explain how it is not profanity.

I think it has a time and place an generally this is not the place. I , however did blip out 2 bad words ( well 1 twice actually ) for a well known phrase earlier on a thread the old- your ...... if you do and ...... if you don't ! I guess maybe I shouldn't have even used that but it's not like it was a really wordy dird or anything!! I try not to get offended, and generally do not even see the big four on here even blipped, so all is pretty good here! Save the potty mouthed comments for my space, LOL!!

I agree with pretty much everyone on this topic! I do use profanity (usually when I'm upset) but I don't ever direct it toward a person. Even if I get mad at someone, I won't cuss at them. But if I stub my toe on the table, a naughty word might slip out. Profanity not only disrespects the person but it also proves how immature and disrespectful of yourself you are. It just makes you look bad. Society today has lost touch with respect and honor. Whatever happened to "Respect your elders" and other philosophies like that?

I agree with most posters on this topic.

I do use profanity but it's mostly when I do something stupid....like drop my box of eyelets all over the floor. When I am typing on a forum I normally try to portray myself in the best way so that everyone reading can understand me and not be offended.

But I also feel that if the censored word is someone's name.... that could also be offensive especially to the person.

• PattyBee Said:

well, as you can see... people have gotten fired up and the discussion has become heated, and that should have been plainly foreseeable. The title of this topic alone is enough to fire someone up and get them on this thread expressing their opinion about it... and censorship, while not the topic of this thread, should have been a foreseen segue... again, it's all in the title of the topic.

THink of it this way... anytime you start a thread with the hopes of getting back messages like, "Yeah, I noticed that too" or maybe "Whoops, that was probably me. Sorry about that" there's also going to be answers to the exact opposite, which is going to get fires raging and a thread that gets completely off topic as people continue to take offense at what others are posting. It's a vicious cylce...

just sayin'...

• Megan - ForumTech Said:

Thank you so much!!!

Well, the actual rule is:
* Racial language, hate language, sexually explicit pictures and language, sexually demeaning or discriminatory language, defamatory language, provoking language, or profanity of any kind is prohibited.

I guess it would take a janitor to decide if something a poster doesn't think is profane is actually profane according to sb.com

I believe myself to be a courteous and polite person. I try not to upset anyone. However, I do curse in real life and have no problem with others cursing either.

I don't curse around children or respected family members. But I am an adult and while I know other words that could possibly be substituted for those curse words - they do not evoke the same visceral response I want to convey.

I am NOT a childish or uncouthe person and resent being labeled as such. (I realize this was not directed at me, but at apparently all people who swear.)

As for the original question, I have not noticed an increase in the use of substituted symbol curse words. Perhaps I am not as sensitive to them as others. However, I do agree that since there are children on the site we should try to tone our language down. Its not censorship, its being polite and following the rules we agreed to when we signed up for this site..

I agree that the subject of this is profanity and profanity only. I sometimes digress and include other things in threads, most of the time chitchatting with other folks that i know on the thread. I think my opinion of this was clear in my post. I really dont think we need it here. HOWEVER I did add the PC part and even put an example in and went back really quickly and deleted it because it would have been soooo controversial.

Remember, it is ok to point out to us all of our transgressions, just list yours also!!!

• riverroadrn Said:

What are all the other transgression that you are speaking of. All I saw was one point made.

• Phoebe Kates Said:

I can obtain the same "visceral response" without cussing. That is my point. If you don't really need to, why do it.
I will bow out of this thread, cause I am real hardcore about not liking cussing and I do not want anyone to be offended. When I started church, it was like the Lord removed all cussing from my vocabulary. But I would bet I have some vise or problem that some other people are able to overcome that I have not. None of us are perfect. But let's enjoy the nice aspects of each other instead of being mad.

I saw a billboard the other day and this is what it said:

"If you're going to take someone's name in vain, use your own. God"

I thought that was pretty straightforward. I don't care one way or the other if people cuss or don't cuss. It's your choice. I'm an adult. I make my own choices.

Rules are rules. I try very hard to follow the rules around here because I really like this place. I'm not easily offended by curse words. And even though I'm a Christian, I'm certainly not going to tell someone else how to talk or not to talk. I got enough children and grandchildren of my own to do that to.

My point is that I knew when I joined I knew that there were young'uns on here. While I know they hear worse cursing IRL, I certainly don't aim to add to it here. I curse sometimes when I don't catch myself and I'm angry or I stubbed my toe. It just flies out of my mouth because I'm in pain.

Nor do I think it makes anyone better than me because they don't say a cuss word or two. It's just a choice on a daily basis. Pretty simple thing if you ask me.

Before I say what I have to say, I must apologize for not reading all of the posts on the thread.

Yes, it is the same thing.

Now, my opinion. I don't think "bad words" should be frowned upon. Somebody says the s--t and people are angry, but I could say snap and nobody even flinches. Why? Exactly my thoughts. I would be using the word snap in place of the word s--t. I'm still saying the same thing. It's just like, I could say the word nice or I could say the word kind. I mean the same thing, and which word I use makes no difference. I use "bad words" sometimes, no, not all the time. Just occasionally and I never frown upon it when other people do. However, I do not believe people should type it. I know sometimes I do, but because I have the option to push the backspace button, I do. I understand that some people don't like "bad words" and I respect that. I believe everyone should respect it, even if they are like me and think there is nothing wrong with cussing occasionally. I'd like to point out that I don't like people who constantly cuss, it gets annoying. But occasionally-- a slip up. I'm okay with that.

I know I "bleeped" out a bad word in my post. I apologize ahead of time and simply did to make a point.

• Amanda from PA Said:

Isn't that so gross? LOL!

• Scrapsaholic Said:

I hope those are not yours?? LOL

I think it simply comes down to a time and a place for everything. I myself swear from time to time, I'm human and certianly not perfect so if I stub my toe chances are It'll probably come out of my mouth. HOWEVER I feel swearing around a child is never acceptable and have told off MANY ppl who thinks it is when they do so around my own children. Nothing irks me more when I'm in public. So in kind I feel the same courtesy should be extended to message boards and chat rooms etc. Its a simple matter of RESPECTING not only others but ourselves too.

One of the many reasons I like this site is because I don't have to put up with what I consider objectionable language.

• ShirleyJB Said:

There is a radio show I listen to alot and because they are regulated by the FCC, they use the excrement term alot--it REALLY draws your attention then! LOL

i don't typically use curse words or profanity in my posts (although i do swear frequently irl) i agree with ally in that even if did type it, i have a backspace button that allows me to edit and there's no need for that kind of language on a site such as this. that being said... when you start getting into censorship it becomes relative.. who decides what's acceptable or not? do you go with the bible belt faction or the U.S. Marines dictionary? what's acceptable to one would not be acceptable to another. both groups could have scrapbookers that visit this site. just a thought

Ok, so I just thought of something because something someone said in one of their posts just made me think: "snap" in place of "the other word" thing.

If you say something like this: Now the defecation is going to hit the rotary oscillator--is that wrong? There's not a single "cuss/curse" word in there. However we all know what it means.

Please don't take this the wrong way but I keep reading "there is a time and place for everything and this is not the place for it"...says who??
People do stuff all the time that I don't agree with but really why even waste the energy being annoyed or angered by it? People are not going to change how they talk or act simply because I don't agree with it or act like them.
Just a suggestion but maybe everyone should worry about themselves and how they act and not other people. You may do something every day that someone does not agree with.

• Mother Goose Said:

I couldn't agree with this more. Well said!
I may say some things in this post that others don't agree with. But that's ok. I feel sad that we live in a time when censorship seems to be necessary. God has blessed us with so many words to use to express ourselves. I don't believe that we need to resort to possibly offensive language. I think it's sad, though, that various anatomical terms are being censored. That just tells me that people are using these terms in ways they were never intended to be used. I personally love this site and am thankful that they are keeping it G rated. If I wanted a site that wasn't, I'm sure there are plenty out there on the internet in this day and age. Just my honest opinion.

• Dawn In AZ Said:

I like what you said here.

Straying a little from the original topic, I just wanna agree to this post in response to the OP saying she didn't expect a thread like this:

• Jenny-girl Said:

Forums are collections of free moving opinions, replies, & perspectives (within the given rules of each site of course). OP, I respect your right to voice the opinion you had in your original & subsequent posts...I respect everyone's opinions here. But saying you had specific expectations for how people would react is a bit naive & quite unrealistic. Like Jenny said, it's all in the title of your thread... did you really think that the people that were typing the "@" curses you found unacceptable, would all be posting in this thread apologizing for being so "profane"? I am not attacking your viewpoint, I just think when it comes to starting threads in message boards, you will have opinions as vast as you can imagine & for everyone who agrees with you, there are probably several more who disagree. But that's the beauty of this all, our ability to discuss this stuff & to deal w/ those who both agree AND disagree w/ us.

Well said!

Profanity is profanity
I don't think one bad word trumps another bad word for "badness" if you know what I mean.

At the risk of having a long post here:

• blushpea Said:

I agree. I would also like to give this board kudos, in that we can discuss without resorting to the lowest common denominator, like some other sites I have visited.

I would like to reiterate my point that there are many "acceptable words" used in a profane way and no one seems to have a problem with those. If inserting an ampersand doesn't change its "MEANING" then neither does saying a word that sounds like it. i.e. dang, darn, fudge, sugar, heck, etc. Even babies say "oops" when they drop something. They know it doesn't mean good job.

Don't judge someone else because they use a "different" word than you.

There are so many more important things to talk about why are we wasting our time on this.

• tracielynn Said:

Yeah, like toe fungus! LOL!

• tracielynn Said:

Sometimes what one person considers a waste of time another does not.

• Scrapsaholic Said:

I don't know if I want to talk about that, I can't get that picture out of my head!

• Amanda from PA Said:

LOL!