Just looking for some opinions. Is the term "pricк" profane when used in the place of jerk, brute, bumbler, fool, idiot, jackass, nincompoop, ninny, rascal, scamp, schmo, schmuck, tomfool, etc.

I'm already sure that the opinions will not be unanimous, so the real question is:
Would you think it reasonable for the site to ask folk to simply not use it since some would call it profane?

I think it falls under the category of profane. It's not as bad as, for example, the f bomb or the s word, but I think it's worse than saying "jerk" or some of the other terms you mentioned. Traditionally the word has a strong sexual connotation, too... I remember learning all about it when I studied Chaucer's Canterbury Tales in university! :p

I think it's reasonable to ask people not to use it. However, curse words and swearing have become very commonplace in our society, especially among young people. So you might have to explain gently to certain people why it's not acceptable.

The article at this site provides the official government definition of the term profanity and other terms relevant to this issue.

http://av.rds.yahoo.com/_ylt=A9ibyKo3P39EolAAWFFrCqMX;_ylu=X3oDMTBvdmM3bGl xBHBndANhdl93ZWJfcmVzdWx0BHNlYwNzcg--/SIG=12i8oi5mh/EXP=1149276343/**http%3a//radio.about.com/od/sternindecency/a/blobscenityplus.htm


BTW
If it bothers the site owner then he shouldn't compromise his feelings for the sake of those whose vocabulary can't do without it. To thine own self be true.

Thanks for the info. Very informative link.

When I first started with AMHD I was running into a problem wiith using profane words. They were automatically edited out of my answers.
Toilet ballcocks became "ballthingys" Sillcocks became "sillthingys" Last week I mentioned Labman by his given name whick starts with a "D" and ends with a "K" This came out as ****,( I changed it to Richard). I contacted Admin and complained that "ballkthingy didn't quite get it when I was advising a asker to run down to his local hardware store and pick up a ballthingy. Admin
understood and loosened the restrictions so I have no problem whatsoever in answering now. Best wishes, Tom PS. Anybody wanna coment on "The Seven Deadly Words"?

That's a good point, Tom. I had a similar problem on the religion forum, when I attempted to write about the first book of the Hebrew Bible, which is spelled B-e-r-e-s-h-i-t. If you spell it without the spaces it comes out Bere****. Even if you add an "h" on the end it's still Bere****h, haha. But I don't use that word much so it's not a big deal in my case. For plumbing though it would be VERY annoying!

speedball1 agrees: LOL. Does a B-e-r-s-h-i-t- in the woods? (Sorry, I just couldn't resist) Please forgive me.

LMAO!! You're forgiven! :p

It's funny how a word in one language can mean something very serious, even sacred, and in another can be profane. ;)

These are hilarious!

It's great to know that I can now say cockadoodledoo!! :p

... and glad to know that the oddities got ironed out.

Hmmm what about ****zu? That's a breed of dog.

LOL I guess it didn't work... should be spelled s-h-i-t-z-u. Perhaps that should be changed actually, if it's possible. People might want to ask about that dog in the Pets Forum.

Chava,
That's Shih Tzu, not s-h-i-t-s y-o-u. Would I Shih-Tzu you about a thing like that? I Shih-Tzu you not!! ( Sorry, I'm a dog when it comes to one-liners.)

Oh okay LOL thanks for the spelling correction! So that's the breed of your cute puppy I take it. :)

Oh my dog.. I'm crackin up over here... Back to the topic at hand though.. I do not find the word prick profane at all.. however I do have a tendency to have a potty mouth so maybe I am just ^%#@#@!**&$#! LOL

Did anyone think of a "prick of a thorn?"

Got any more questions to you want us to clear up for you,Rick?

Lol, I'm glad I asked; got a great mix of excellent laughs and food for thought.

Rick,
Seriously, would I get censored if I advised a asker to use a prick punch to mark a hole that he wanted to drill in a stainless steel sink? (I guess not since it got up here) Regards, Tom

Of course you'd be censored


Rick,
Seriously, would I get censored if I advised a asker to use a **** punch to mark a *****hole that he wanted to **** in a stainless steel sink? (I guess not since it got up here) Regards, Tom
Just trying to keep the high standard set by ****!:cool: :eek:

I did a simple search: We have 10 threads with prick in it.

In 7 of them it is used to describe a person.
In 3 it's used less "profanely".

We are leaving things as is... with the word being allowed.

Words are words, how bad can something be when it changes depending on the subject matter. However, out of courtesy for those who don't share my view, I refrain from swearing, just being polite, but in most cases the f word, s-h-i-t, are thrown around like change, however in the case of p r I c k it isn't used as often, therefore it's meaning is a little heavier, because if you got of your way to use than you mean it. But all in all we should just all speak spanish. Por que el espanol es muy facil y nosotros lo habliamos. Adios amigos. Dormir bueno y buenos noches.