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MNHQ

Swearing, nicknames etc

321 replies

JustineMumsnet · 29/09/2009 14:19

Afternoon Mumsnetters,

There's been a bit of discussion about offensive nicknames. We do allow swearing on MN, as you know - it's a site for grown-ups, not for children - but as our overriding aim is to make folks' lives easier and many Mumsnetters object to the use of the c-word, in particular, we think it would be best if folks didn't use it in their nicknames. Using it as a nickname effectively means you are using it not for effect but for every post. We all recognise the need to say cunting sainsburys every now and then but all the time is a bit much, we think.

As we say in our Talk Rules and Netiquette:

"It's not our policy to delete swearwords but we do draw the line at obscenity, so, if you're not sure which side of the line your swearword of choice may fall, it might be best not to use it."

Cheers.

OP posts:
Lilyloo · 29/09/2009 19:07

Oh dear Frangolina how do you know she has been banned ?
I find that really odd given the pretty lighthearted OP from Justine!!

bibbitybobbityhat · 29/09/2009 19:04

Oh YAWN.

Mamazon · 29/09/2009 19:04

on this rare occasion i am going to disagree with SGB.

I have no objection to swearing in posts and as far as i can see MNHQ have not expressed one either. all they have asked is that we attempt some form of common sense when chosing a posting name.

it is exactly the same as me walking into school tomorrow and seeing the woman teaching my 5 year old wearing a "never mind the bo0llocks" T shirt.

I love the band and have the album but that T shirt is just not an appropriate item of clothing to be worn in such circumstances.

Swear to your hearts content, in context and in an appropriate manner. swearing for swearing's sake is just pathetic and childish

SolidGoldBrass · 29/09/2009 19:02

The point is that most people will self-regulate. MN will not disappear in a cunting blizzard of shitty fucks. It's the call for Something To Be Done by authorities that's the problem. A few posters calling themselves Shitinyourmouth or whatever is NOT A BIG FUCKING DEAL! It won't kill you or even give you nappy rash. Other posters will either ignore them or give them a stern ticking off and either way it will be a storm in a teacup. TBH if someone decided to name him/herself Niggerlover or Pakibasher or anything else that's even less acceptable in polite society my personal viewpoint would be to let them go ahead and get their faces flamed off by everyone else rather than running around squealing and insisting that New Rules be immediately put into place about Offensiveness.

Buda · 29/09/2009 19:00

Do we know for sure that someone HAS in fact been banned?

Nobody is being censored. People are just being asked not to use the words cunt and possibly fuck in their posting names. I think that is about 3 people other than those who name changed today to make a point. Not exactly censorship. People are being asked to be considerate of others. Nothing more and nothing less.

QuintessentialShadow · 29/09/2009 18:59

Freedom of speech, eh?

bibbitybobbityhat · 29/09/2009 18:59

Oh deary SGB's got herself all worked up again. Its funny but I don't think I've seen anyone "shitting themselves with outrage".

fanjolina · 29/09/2009 18:55

But if posters get BANNED for such names, how is that freedom of speech Quint?

LeninGrad · 29/09/2009 18:55

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

PrincessToadstool · 29/09/2009 18:55

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

TheFoosa · 29/09/2009 18:55

SGB I salute you

fanjolina · 29/09/2009 18:54

I love SGB. Ever the voice of reason.

QuintessentialShadow · 29/09/2009 18:54

I see. You want to defend your right to say cunt fuck bugger all and what not. And you confuse a call to be sensible in chosing a posting name, to a withdrawal of freedom of speach.

So, anybody using foul and derogative language is simply exercising their freedom of speach?

I am sure real freedomfighters hail you in your struggle.

VictorMeldrew · 29/09/2009 18:49

I do have to agree with SBG though, eloquent or not

chattermouse · 29/09/2009 18:49

I disagree Quaint. SGB put it quite nicely. Freedom of speech is the other side of equality's coin. Think about it.

QuintessentialShadow · 29/09/2009 18:48

People are outraged, and cry out about censorship.

There has never been a call to ban swearing, or foul language in posts.

There has been a call to self moderate and chose a posting name with consideration to how other people think.

I find this selfrighteous figth for the right to use foul language baffling. There really is no need. Nobody is censoring anybody. And nobody is censored.

BecauseImWorthIt · 29/09/2009 18:46

Au contraire

QuintessentialShadow · 29/09/2009 18:45

That, SGB, is probably one of the least eloquent posts you have ever written.

VictorMeldrew · 29/09/2009 18:45

As long as you don't ban the words 'Tits' or Vinegar'

or i will be stuck with victor cunting meldrew

BitOfFun · 29/09/2009 18:44

ActivityApple ROFL

How norty...

PrincessToadstool · 29/09/2009 18:44

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

CENSORED · 29/09/2009 18:43

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

SolidGoldBrass · 29/09/2009 18:39

Oh FFS how stupid are some people? You know, the reason 'Fuck off you silly cunt' is the only response to people who bleat and whine about swearing is because they are such narrow-minded smug morons. 'Waaah!' they cry. 'My child might read a naughty word and its head might fall off.' People like this never seem to be worried about their DC reading far more upsetting things than swear words over their shoulders - should we ban threads about DV, or dying children/parents, because they might frighten DC or give them nightmares?
ONce and for all, a few swear words won't kill you. It may well be silly attention-seeking behaviour, but the more you shit yourselves with outrage and insist that Something Must Be Done, the more aggravation it is for everyone all round. A very simple lesson that some people are sadly too stupid to learn is that being offended every now and again is the VERY LOW price you pay for freedom of speech.

PrincessToadstool · 29/09/2009 18:38

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

QuintessentialShadow · 29/09/2009 18:22

Now, here is an experiment for you Censored and hullygully.

The entire next week you introduce yourself as Fanny Cunt-Whacker, and in addition wear your name on a badge, and see if you get a few eyebrows in real life. Similarly, change the signature line of your email, and tell people in your work place that you have changed your name by deed poll and this is what you prefer to be named as of now.

My thought is, if you cannot do it or say it in real life, then you shouldnt on a forum.