BOWDLERISM Meaning and
Definition
-
Bowdlerism is a noun referring to the act of removing or censoring material deemed inappropriate, offensive, or vulgar from a literary work, usually by deleting or altering parts of the text. This word is derived from the English physician Thomas Bowdler, who in the early 19th century published an expurgated edition of Shakespeare's plays, known as "The Family Shakespeare." Bowdler's intention behind this undertaking was to produce a version suitable for family reading, by expunging or reworking passages that he considered morally objectionable.
Although seen in a positive light by some as a means to protect sensitivities and make literature more accessible to a wider audience, bowdlerism has also been criticized by others as an act of censorship that infringes upon the artistic integrity and freedom of expression within the work. It is often associated with an overzealous desire to conform to societal norms or to avoid controversial or challenging subject matter.
Bowdlerism has extended beyond literature to other forms of media, such as film and television, where certain scenes or language may be edited or toned down to comply with censorship guidelines or to appeal to a larger demographic. However, whether viewed as a necessary practice or an infringement on artistic freedom, bowdlerism remains a debated topic within the world of literature and beyond.
Common Misspellings for BOWDLERISM
- vowdlerism
- nowdlerism
- howdlerism
- gowdlerism
- biwdlerism
- bkwdlerism
- blwdlerism
- bpwdlerism
- b0wdlerism
- b9wdlerism
- boqdlerism
- boadlerism
- bosdlerism
- boedlerism
- bo3dlerism
- bo2dlerism
- bowslerism
- bowxlerism
- bowclerism
Etymology of BOWDLERISM
The word "bowdlerism" is derived from the surname of Thomas Bowdler, an English physician and editor. Thomas Bowdler is famous for his work "The Family Shakespeare", published in 1818, where he reworked certain plays by William Shakespeare to remove what he considered to be inappropriate or offensive content. As a result, the word "bowdlerize" came to mean the act of censoring, expurgating, or sanitizing a text to make it more suitable or acceptable for general audiences. Eventually, the word "bowdlerism" came into existence to refer to this practice of censorship.
Similar spelling words for BOWDLERISM
Infographic
Add the infographic to your website:
