Ask HN: Why do people add * over letters in offensive words?

2 points·toombowoombo··6 comments

To be polite for the readers or to fool the system and be able to publish the post?

Like "f*k".

People just feel more comfortable with the blocked letters. Friggin, F*** you, S, C word and on and on do not trigger the same brain area as the complete swear words even though we understand what people are trying to say. In many cases, using swear words will trigger violence or shock, maybe both. Yet, the pseudo-word will trigger added interest in the subject.

My question is why? Why do we feel more comfortable with the Pseudo-word? When it comes down to it, they mean the same.

You might be interested in the history of grawlix: https://languagelog.ldc.upenn.edu/nll/?p=2457

Related: The earliest typographically-bleeped f-word? http://itre.cis.upenn.edu/~myl/languagelog/archives/003253.h...

It’s the type version of bleeping on the radio. I usually do it when I’m softening the works (in person it’d be clear I’m being a bit sarcastic and not actually frothing angry).

When it’s not a swear it’s often an old tumblr or even older method for preventing search/notification.

Those are just my two understandings of this pattern of behaviour. I'm open to other understandings, the idea is still in progress.

It may come from "G*d"

Why Write "G‑d" Instead of "G-o-d"?

https://www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/486809/jewish...

It's childish and those who do so should stop.

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