The C Word

[kinboshi]

whereas it isn't seen as acceptable in British English

except that it is. boring argument. we all know that like many, many words, most of which are not banned on here, retard is only offensive in context. banning a word because it's a bugbear of ironside's is laughable as everyone can see

Really?  Seems that many still think that the use of the word (in the context we're talking here) is unacceptable:

http://www.google.co.uk/search?q=retard+acceptable+use+in+british+english

"A BBC survey in 2003 ranked "retard" as the most offensive disability-related word, ahead of terms such as spastic (not considered offensive in America)"  That's back in 2003, so it's not quite current but not a million years ago.  (Unfortunately, the survey results are no longer on the BBC site).

[gatso]

lol. can we also ban the most offensive food-related word?

[Bongo]

I've tried banning sprouts but have never been able to manage it.

[kinboshi]

I've tried banning s*****s but have never been able to manage it.

FYP

[Bongo]

The asterisks look like little sprouts and are clearly mocking me.

[bobAlike]

lol. can we also ban the most offensive food-related word?

Diet???

[thetank]

I missed the retard debate, can we use lagtard and tagtarded?

Compounds obviously derived in part from the word retard. Obv pretty important poker words.

[NoflopsHomer]

We haven't gone through a whole host of words that might be deemed offensive.  Instead, it's been left to the mods to deal with when any offensive or abusive language is used.  A number of people had mentioned that they were uncomfortable with the use of *****, and Ironside has explained the problem with retard.

Part of the problem is context and usage.  Anyone using racially offensive terms will probably receive a suspension as we have zero-tolerance towards this.  When someone uses an offensive word to flame another member, then it steps over the line of what's allowed.  Sometimes words that can be offensive in one context are more acceptable in another situation.

On the whole, wide-scale censorship of certain words hasn't been required, blonde is a combination of being policed by individuals themselves or by their peers - and then if that doesn't work, the mods step in.  The censorship of ***** was done off the back of a number of members saying they weren't comfortable with its use.

Personally, I'm not offended by any words in isolation.  It's more the sentiment and intent that I can find offensive.  Others view the subject differently.  We have a wide range of members and I'm a member on some forums that don't allow any swearing, whereas on others it's completely open-season.  Blonde gets it pretty much right (imo), but I'm sure others will disagree. 

Either ban all offensive words or none please.

[gatso]

I missed the retard debate, can we use lagtard and tagtarded?

Compounds obviously derived in part from the word retard. Obv pretty important poker words.

nah, pretty sure kendall told us all tard words were banned a couple of years back

[TightEnd]

I missed the retard debate, can we use lagtard and tagtarded?

Compounds obviously derived in part from the word retard. Obv pretty important poker words.

nah, pretty sure kendall told us all tard words were banned a couple of years back

WHO?

[kinboshi]

We haven't gone through a whole host of words that might be deemed offensive.  Instead, it's been left to the mods to deal with when any offensive or abusive language is used.  A number of people had mentioned that they were uncomfortable with the use of *****, and Ironside has explained the problem with retard.

Part of the problem is context and usage.  Anyone using racially offensive terms will probably receive a suspension as we have zero-tolerance towards this.  When someone uses an offensive word to flame another member, then it steps over the line of what's allowed.  Sometimes words that can be offensive in one context are more acceptable in another situation.

On the whole, wide-scale censorship of certain words hasn't been required, blonde is a combination of being policed by individuals themselves or by their peers - and then if that doesn't work, the mods step in.  The censorship of ***** was done off the back of a number of members saying they weren't comfortable with its use.

Personally, I'm not offended by any words in isolation.  It's more the sentiment and intent that I can find offensive.  Others view the subject differently.  We have a wide range of members and I'm a member on some forums that don't allow any swearing, whereas on others it's completely open-season.  Blonde gets it pretty much right (imo), but I'm sure others will disagree. 

Either ban all offensive words or none please.

Why?