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What's the policy on swearing on dakka? I'd guess that it's a zero-tolerance sort of thing, but I've seen profanity used quite often, sometimes being ignored or even commended, while other times being reprimanded. What is the exact profanity limit here? The average reader is most likely old enough to handle swearing, so...?

I think this should probably be in nuts and bolts.

But, to answer your question, you can probably find an exact explanation [url=http://www.dakkadakka.com/core/forum_rules.jsp] here.

Dakka does have an automatic swearing filter, which turns some words into harmless euphemisms. Also, being a very international forum, different standards apply to some words than you might find in North America. YMMV.

A good rule of thumb is to ask yourself if you'd say that in a knitting store. If not, don't post it on Dakka. (Well, that's going a bit far, but it can't hurt, eh?)

Don't do it.

Don't try and do it by using leet speak or putting stars in place of letters.

Get busted and you start down the reprimand slope.

It can be missed due to the sheer number of posts and the random nature of moderation (we don't trawl through every post looking for shenanigans).

If this referring to your Angry Marines thread, understand that there is a respectable limit.

XD. Yep. I love the Angry Marines.

Dakka has a 'no swearing' policy, but it's a fairly relaxed one, by a lot of standards.

The filter catches most of the 'bad' swears, although sometimes they'll slip through, particularly since the filter doesn't always catch different forms of words.

A lot of the more 'low level' stuff is allowed. We try to be a family oriented site, but with a little leeway for people to express themselves. A lot of the time, it's down to context and Mod discretion.

While standards are different around the world, I would think that a good rule of thumb would be: If you wouldn't hear it on prime-time TV, don't post it here.

Sometimes Dakka's policy is as inconsistent as the Australian Office of Film & Literature Classification's ability to rate things - that is to say, fethed.

H.B.M.C. wrote:Sometimes Dakka's policy is as inconsistent as the Australian Office of Film & Literature Classification's ability to rate things - that is to say, fethed.

pretty much. It's a case of "who you know" and "who's got a problem with you" as to what will get you banned for posting something so terrible, that they didn't delete the post.

More this:

Waaagh_Gonads wrote:Don't do it.

Don't try and do it by using leet speak or putting stars in place of letters.

Get busted and you start down the reprimand slope.

It can be missed due to the sheer number of posts and the random nature of moderation (we don't trawl through every post looking for shenanigans).

and this:

insaniak wrote:Dakka has a 'no swearing' policy, but it's a fairly relaxed one, by a lot of standards.

The filter catches most of the 'bad' swears, although sometimes they'll slip through, particularly since the filter doesn't always catch different forms of words.

A lot of the more 'low level' stuff is allowed. We try to be a family oriented site, but with a little leeway for people to express themselves. A lot of the time, it's down to context and Mod discretion.

While standards are different around the world, I would think that a good rule of thumb would be: If you wouldn't hear it on prime-time TV, don't post it here.

Possibly some of this:

H.B.M.C. wrote:Sometimes Dakka's policy is as inconsistent as the Australian Office of Film & Literature Classification's ability to rate things - that is to say, fethed.

And, as interesting as this sounds (conspiracy theories are fun! And convenient for avoiding responsibility.), very little of this:

Howlingmoon wrote:
pretty much. It's a case of "who you know" and "who's got a problem with you" as to what will get you banned for posting something so terrible, that they didn't delete the post.

Ever since I learned they have auto filtering, I was able to turn off the editing portion of my brain and say whatever the feth I want. Though it makes me feel dirty when I do :(

There isn't an exact profanity limit because if you impose a letter of the law, a lot of users use that as an excuse to evade the intention of the law.

The swearing filter catches everything considered 15+ (to use the BBFC scale) and also some words broadly used as insults by US members.


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New words are added when it is necessary.

The filtering system makes me feel like a Dan Abnett Ghost character..

I recall you hate them Gaunts ghosts so that makes me laugh brookm.

I'm more offended by the replacement words and the concept of being censored than I ever could be by reading any of the cuss words that I would encounter on Dakka if there were no swear filter.

In a strange way I love this swear filter; because felching's legit but *gak* isn't. God bless Mary Whitehouse (Experience).

George Spiggott wrote:I'm more offended by the replacement words and the concept of being censored than I ever could be by reading any of the cuss words that I would encounter on Dakka if there were no swear filter.

Fethin' A!

It only gets worse when a Mod comes along and red edits you're already censored post.

Talk about redundancy which is what I'm talking about.

I may be one of the very few that finds profanity juvenile. Arguments range from "it fits the situation" to "I was raised that way" or "I hear it every day" are excuses to use vulgar and unimaginative speech for emphasis when the point the speaker was trying to make is lost.

I like that dakka tries to be family friendly. Explaining my hobby to my kids and reading about it online shouldn't have me locking and closing the door behind me because I don't want them to see what I'm looking at on Dakka!

And before anyone gets their underwear up in a bunch, I know it's the interwebz and everyone has a right to say what they want. I am in no way forcing my point of view down the throats of anyone.

H.B.M.C. wrote:Sometimes Dakka's policy is as inconsistent as the Australian Office of Film & Literature Classification's ability to rate things - that is to say, fethed.

Oh contraire, rampant inconsistency has a consistency all its own.

I don't think 'profanity' is symptomatic of a lack of imagination, or poor vocabulary at all. I know a few people who consider swearing vulgar - but well, feth 'em! How can deleting words from your vocabulary INCREASE your vocabulary?
To be honest, there are people on here with opinions that are far more offensive than a few naughty words.

Even words like 'bum-gravy' or 'arse-candle'.

The intent is for the site to be readable by a general audience, including kids. It's always been that way.

Or, to put it another way, the other mods already nailed it.

Albatross wrote: How can deleting words from your vocabulary INCREASE your vocabulary?

That's kind of the point, though. The swear words tend to gradually take the place of actual adjectives, thus deleting (at least in part) a whole category of words from the swearer's vocabulary...

Using swear words isn't "deleting (at least in part) a whole category of words from the swearer's vocabulary" though, It's adding to it with a rather more extreme superlative.

Not really. What I was getting at is that for a lot of people, the swear word becomes a 'catch-all' adjective. It doesn't add to their vocabulary. It becomes one of a very small range of words that are used in place of actual adjectives.

That's why swearing gets linked to a 'lack of imagination'... the perception is that instead of putting any thought into what they're saying and using a suitable adjective, the swearer just automatically inserts one of their usual range of swear words for emphasis.

Orkestra wrote:

A good rule of thumb is to ask yourself if you'd say that in a knitting store. If not, don't post it on Dakka. (Well, that's going a bit far, but it can't hurt, eh?)

you haven't heard my wife when she finds a killer sale on sock yarn.

It's about using something that isn't overused as an expression. Anyone can get a rise from someone else (especially in church) by dropping the f-bomb or other colorful expressions. Any 15 year old can string together a whole slew of vulgar euphamisms yet not truly understand what "m*****f*****" really means.

It's akin to a doctor saying "there" when they make a mistake (yes, they do happen and they do say that) instead of "f***".

PG rating vs. R rating. Everyone has their preferences. I have kids so it's easier for me to keep everything PG. It doesn't mean that I force those around me to act the way I do. And as I previously stated, this is the internet, the playground of anonymity, and everyone has a right to say what they want.


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insaniak wrote:Not really. What I was getting at is that for a lot of people, the swear word becomes a 'catch-all' adjective. It doesn't add to their vocabulary. It becomes one of a very small range of words that are used in place of actual adjectives.

That's why swearing gets linked to a 'lack of imagination'... the perception is that instead of putting any thought into what they're saying and using a suitable adjective, the swearer just automatically inserts one of their usual range of swear words for emphasis.

+1

What insaniak said!

What's disturbing is that I've found myself starting to say 'Feth' instead of 'F***' IRL.

Strange, instead of F*** I say Flakk IRL too.

Hrm.

I used to be a Mod on a 1/6th scale modeling forum based here in the UK and one of my pet hates was the over use of swearing on a public forum.

Now to those that know me personally that would seem the strangest thing, as I will admit I am one of those people that use the F word (among others!) alot....... BUT only when speaking!!

I also have to admit I am one of those people that use one of the following excuses........

1. ''Its the way I was brought up " (Irish Mother, Glaswegian Father, working class)

2. "Its to fit in with the lads at work/school etc ( I'm ex British Army).

I am a father to a great 12yr old bhoy (sic) and yes I do swear infront of him, but not once have I heard him repeat me.

Guilty of all the above may Mork chew on my carcass !!!!......... but NEVER would I consider TYPING what comes out of my mouth for all to see , why would anyone want to embarass themselves thatway ?

Afterall I may TALK like I do, but I also have RESPECT (refer to excuses 1 & 2 above).



Appologies both for the spelling mistakes and more importantly the rambling post.

insaniak wrote:Dakka has a 'no swearing' policy, but it's a fairly relaxed one, by a lot of standards.

The filter catches most of the 'bad' swears, although sometimes they'll slip through, particularly since the filter doesn't always catch different forms of words.

A lot of the more 'low level' stuff is allowed. We try to be a family oriented site, but with a little leeway for people to express themselves. A lot of the time, it's down to context and Mod discretion.

While standards are different around the world, I would think that a good rule of thumb would be: If you wouldn't hear it on prime-time TV, don't post it here.

Hehe, you have no idea how different that standard would be for a lot of people (ie Swedes, and I'm guessing most of the rest of western Europe).

I think many people will still have somewhat of a general idea of what the US standards are, however I have no problem with cursing, but at the same time I find the dakka filter pretty cute most of the time so it doesn't bother me.

If you don't think grade school children curse.... I was doing cable work at a school just yesterday. The mouths on 8 year olds when authority figures aren't around is mind blowing. Hell, at least if they read a curse word-they're at least reading.