h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

I! that is me Prof Chaos, use the word "bugger" along with added sentences often in it's use of. The Powers That Be within hootoo KNOW that as I'm a Yorkshireman, that word is part of OUR slang and is NOT used in it's offensive terminology. In many threads and post within hootoo, I personally have used this word many times and NOT been "yiked" for it's use. YET! some of my friends here in hootoo HAVE been yiked for it's use as in tonight! (1st August) in a one to one thread I have with a close and for a good few years, a real life friendHAS had her post "yiked" for saying "bugger".

This leads me to believe that the computerised word watcher isn't the culprit, but a personal attack as such of a "researcher" pressing the "yikes" button.
I know that ALL threads are open, but the majority of hootoo'ers respect one to ones. BUT! as WE all know, some will always have a grievance and will do anything to get "their" point of view and vindictive manner noticed - it ain't gonna work! All "they" are doing is to show how limited their I.Q is and how insecure they are in real life.

it's actually quite laughable, because we see it on TV comedy shows regularly - so basically PATHETIC in it's nature

At the risk of being serious in Misc Chat, and on one of the Prof's threads at that -

As an Australian, I know there are everyday words that we use as affectionate greetings or playful comments that are considered to be Naughty Words by the filther. Conversely, a tree's root system or a map of Tasmania can sometimes be ever so sordid in the right hands. *snigger*

This is precisely why noohootoo should not rely on a list of words as a framework for base-level moderation.

Context is Everything.

Ivan, I was thinking of you yesterday when I was at the plant store, and I picked up a jar of rooting powder. We can all use a little of that to sprinkle on our corn flakes, eh?

That said.. I have nothing worthwhile to add to this thread because I think context and intent are what matter, and not a word itself. I could use a perfectly acceptable word and still hurt someone terribly, but when I swear (which is about every 15 seconds), I don't swear *at* people (though I do sometimes swear about them behind their backs... ).

Ah, rooting powder. If only it were that simple. And I'm going to Tasmania next month, so I should consider the map in detail.

But yes. Context and intent are the critical things.

It's certainly educational; I'm learning that a lot of words have secondary, obscure offensive uses that I'd never heard of.

I'm always happy to learn of a secondary, obscure offense use for an otherwise innocuous word. Then I like to use it as much as possible.

The use of a potentially offensive word must be seen in its 'Context' but the real offense is in the 'Cortex'.