Correct spelling for the English word "Bowldery" is [bˈə͡ʊldəɹi], [bˈəʊldəɹi], [b_ˈəʊ_l_d_ə_ɹ_i] (IPA phonetic alphabet).
Bowldery is an adjective used to describe something that has been altered or modified to remove or censor any potentially offensive or explicit content. It is derived from the name of Thomas Bowdler, an English doctor who gained fame for publishing an expurgated edition of William Shakespeare's works in the early 19th century. Bowdler desired to make Shakespeare's plays more suitable for family reading by removing any questionable or risqué material.
In a broader sense, the term "bowldery" can be used to describe any form of censorship or modification aimed at toning down or sanitizing a piece of literature, art, speech, or even discussions in order to make it more suitable for public consumption or to conform to societal norms and expectations.
The term is often used in a critical or negative sense, as it implies a watered-down or altered version of the original work, leading to a loss of authenticity, depth, or artistic integrity. Critics argue that bowlderizing can distort the intentions and authenticity of the creator, limiting the audience's exposure to important cultural, historical, or artistic context.
Overall, "bowldery" refers to the process or act of altering or censoring content with the intention of making it more "appropriate" or "acceptable" in the eyes of more conservative or sensitive individuals or society at large.
The word "Bowdlerize" originated from the name of Thomas Bowdler, an English physician and editor. In the early 19th century, Thomas Bowdler published an edition of Shakespeare's plays called "The Family Shakespeare". This edition aimed to remove any content deemed immoral or inappropriate for family reading, including explicit language, sexual references, and violence. As a result, the term "Bowdlerize" was coined in reference to the act of censoring or modifying a work to make it more suitable for general audiences. Over time, the name "Bowdler" transformed into the adjective "Bowldery", which means excessively prudish or puritanical in terms of content.