phrase

How should we know what '***' means? Suitcase? Backpack? Guilt? Donuts?

Sometimes I wonder if the profanity filter is really necessary on these forums. I think that swear words should be allowed in questions about their usage in the English language.

ozzourtiSometimes I wonder if the profanity filter is really necessary on these forums. I think that swear words should be allowed in questions about their usage in the English language.

I agree. Unless it prompts a huge surge in trolling and gratuitously offensive posts, genuine users should be allowed to ask about obscene words without being asterisked.

GPYgenuine users

1. How do we identify those?

GPY genuine users should be allowed to ask about obscene words without being asterisked.

2. How do we differentiate in the software between the sorts of users?

That would have to be a human judgement, just as it currently is (I assume) in regard to other types of abuse. I'm not suggesting that software could do it.

GPYThat would have to be a human judgement,

Inadequate staffing. Blame the standoff between Obama and the Congress.

But it would only be a burden on the mods if it encouraged significant numbers of new trolls and abusers to come here just to post obscene words for fun.

It would be a mechanical burden anyway, GPY, to have to read and edit all incoming posts for profanities if the software did not do it for us.

Does that mean there are lots of anonymous users posting profanities but their messages simply don't go through because they are automatically filtered?

Mister MicawberIt would be a mechanical burden anyway, GPY, to have to read and edit all incoming posts for profanities if the software did not do it for us.

Sorry, perhaps I was unclear. I was not suggesting that obscene words should be asterisked in suspect posts but left intact in genuine ones. If the policy to asterisk profanities was done away with then m