BOWDLERIZER Meaning and
Definition
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A bowdlerizer can be defined as an individual, often an editor or author, who engages in the practice of bowdlerizing. Bowdlerizing refers to the act of removing or censoring material from literary works that is considered indecent, offensive, or morally objectionable according to the standards and sensibilities of a particular society or time period.
The term "bowdlerizer" draws its name from Thomas Bowdler, an English physician and editor who gained notoriety in the early 19th century for publishing an expurgated edition of William Shakespeare's plays. Bowdler felt that certain elements of Shakespeare's work, particularly those containing sexual content or profanity, were unsuitable for public consumption. Consequently, he removed or altered such passages, creating a version that he considered appropriate for families and young readers.
Bowdlerizers, through their selective alterations or omissions, aim to sanitize literary works, making them more palatable or suitable for specific audiences. Their intention is often to prevent readers from encountering content that might be considered inappropriate or offensive. While their motivations may stem from good intentions, critics argue that bowdlerizers infringe upon the artistic integrity of the original works, depriving readers of a true and authentic experience.
In contemporary usage, the term "bowdlerizer" is often employed more broadly to describe anyone who censors or alters content, not just within literature. It can refer to individuals engaged in modifying artistic creations, historical accounts, or any form of media, with the intent to make them conform to certain ideological, political, or moral sensibilities.
Common Misspellings for BOWDLERIZER
- vowdlerizer
- nowdlerizer
- howdlerizer
- gowdlerizer
- biwdlerizer
- bkwdlerizer
- blwdlerizer
- bpwdlerizer
- b0wdlerizer
- b9wdlerizer
- boqdlerizer
- boadlerizer
- bosdlerizer
- boedlerizer
- bo3dlerizer
- bo2dlerizer
- bowslerizer
- bowxlerizer
- bowclerizer
- bowflerizer
Etymology of BOWDLERIZER
The word "bowdlerizer" is derived from the name Thomas Bowdler, an English physician and editor. The term gained prominence due to his significant role in editing and publishing an expurgated edition of William Shakespeare's works in 1818, called "The Family Shakespeare". Bowdler intended this edition to be suitable for family reading, removing or altering elements that he deemed to be immoral, indecent, or offensive. His name became synonymous with the act of censoring or sanitizing literary or artistic works, thereby giving rise to the term "bowdlerize". From there, the noun form "bowdlerizer" was formed to refer to individuals who engage in such censorship or editing practices.
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