offensive language - Correct usage of replacing cuss words with symbols


I've noticed that symbols (i.e. #, $, %, !, *, etc.) are commonly used to filter profanity/foul language.


Just out of curiosity, is there a specific way to do this. I've noticed sometimes there isn't a specific number of symbols but normally the number of symbols correspond to the number of letters in the cuss word. E.g.:



Wow dude, you are such an &#%-hole!




So, with that all in mind:



  1. What symbols are acceptable for doing this?

  2. Are there patterns or specific methods for this? (Specific patterns for certain words)

  3. Other rules that may pertain to the situation.



Answer



Standard practice is to substitute asterisk when replacing just some letters (especially vowels, and not normally the first or last letter) in a swear-word (for example - "sh*t", or "c**t").


Any random combination of other "special" characters (including but not limited to &#%!@?) may be used to denote "some unspecified swear-word".


I think OP's specific example is at least "unusual" usage. I would normally expect either "You're such an &#%!@?!", or "You're such an a***hole".


Also note that particularly with longer words such as "bollocks" (which the markup language won't let me "clean up" here), the number of asterisks may not accurately reflect the number of letters substituted. So you don't need to wonder whether my a***hole was British or American!


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