"Obscene" is a tricky word to spell because of the unusual combination of consonants and vowels. In IPA phonetic transcription, it is spelled /ɒbˈsiːn/. This means that the first syllable is pronounced with the "o" sound as in "lot" and the next two with the "ee" sound as in "see." The final syllable has a short "i" sound as in "pin." Remembering this pronunciation can help one spell the word correctly and avoid common misspellings such as "obcsene" or "obcine."
Obscene is an adjective that describes something offensive, indecent, or morally repugnant, mainly referring to explicit sexual content, language, or behavior. It encompasses material that is considered vulgar, lewd, or lascivious, and it often breaches societal norms and standards of decency.
While the perception of obscenity may vary across cultures and time periods, it typically involves content that is deemed improper, inappropriate, or offensive in nature. Such material is generally intended to provoke strong feelings of disgust, shock, or outrage.
The term "obscene" can apply to various forms of media, including books, films, art, or performances. It also relates to offensive language or gestures that may be considered sexually explicit or indecent. However, it is important to note that the definition of obscenity is subjective and can be influenced by personal or cultural values.
Many legal systems have laws and regulations that govern obscenity to protect public morality, limit harmful content, or preserve community standards. Consequently, the classification of material as obscene may have legal implications, such as censorship, regulatory restrictions, or potential criminal prosecution.
Overall, obscene material is characterized by its offensive, indecent, and morally objectionable nature, primarily concerning explicit sexual content, language, or behavior.
Impure in language or action; indecent; filthy.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "obscene" originated from the Latin word "obscenus", which initially meant "in the way, opposite, or against the stage". In Ancient Rome, stage actors or characters that engaged in morally questionable or indecent behavior would move "ob scenam" or "off stage" to engage in illicit activities. Over time, the term "obscenus" expanded to encompass anything lewd, offensive, or morally repugnant. It eventually transformed into the modern term "obscene", referring to something that is offensive, indecent, or sexually explicit.