Swearing, nicknames etc

[JustineMumsnet]

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.

ActivityApple ROFL

How norty...

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

or i will be stuck with victor cunting meldrew

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

Au contraire

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.

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

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

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.

I love SGB. Ever the voice of reason.

SGB I salute you

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

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".

Freedom of speech, eh?

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.

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.

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

Oh YAWN.

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

What an ENORMOUS waste of energy this is

'Try not to give yourself a username that might offend normal people who are here to find out about potty training / candles / pension funds' - it's hardly a shocking request

A slippery slope of manners

fgs

X posted sorry mamazon. You just posted what I could not be ARSED to.

I'd expect to have this argument with earnest teenagers in their first term at University. Not with a bunch of supposedly grown women.

Princess Toadstoll this is what your name makes me think of.

Filthy

To be fair i think what was originally asked for was an option to hide posters names whom you found offensive , therefore only you need know and doesn't affect anyone.
Seems Justine et al hoped that posters would regulate themselves rather than having to provide this option not sure why everyone is getting so worked up about it tbh