typography - Appropriate punctuation for removing letters in offensive words


Letters in offensive words are often removed to make words less offensive, like f----ed, or n-gger. (Though this isn't just for offensive words—see G-d).


What is the best typographic punctuation for the dash? A standard -, or an en-dash (–), or an em-dash (or dashes) for multiple dashes (e.g. f——d)?



Answer



Usually, asterisks are used. A single asterisk replaces a single character. Censor everything after and including the first vowel.



f***



Or simply censor the first vowel.



f*ck



I personally prefer the former.



Alternatively, one could use grawlixes, or assorted special characters



f@#!



This is most often used in cartoons.



There is also, leet speak. This is most common on the internet. In this case, one finds a similar looking special character to a letter of an offensive word.


Shit
$#!+


Personally, I have never seen any form of hyphen or dash used.


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