How Do You Spell THOMAS BOWDLER?

Pronunciation: [tˈɒməs bˈə͡ʊdlə] (IPA)

Thomas Bowdler was a British writer and philanthropist known for editing Shakespeare's works to remove any content he deemed inappropriate or offensive. The spelling of "Bowdler" is pronounced /ˈbaʊd.lər/ in IPA phonetic transcription, with the first syllable being pronounced like "bow" (as in "bow and arrow") and the second syllable pronounced like "lor" (as in "florist"). Bowdler's name has since become synonymous with censorship and overbearing propriety, and the term "bowdlerize" is used to describe the act of sanitizing or expurgating works of literature or art.

THOMAS BOWDLER Meaning and Definition

1. Thomas Bowdler was an English physician and writer, born in 1754 and died in 1825. He is primarily known for his work as a compiler and editor, notably for his expurgated edition of William Shakespeare's plays, commonly referred to as "The Family Shakespeare."

   Bowdler's name has become synonymous with censorship and puritanical editing due to his stringent efforts to remove what he deemed to be inappropriate content from literary works. The intent behind his work was to provide a version of Shakespeare's plays that could be enjoyed by a wider audience, including women and children, without encountering anything offensive or morally questionable.

   The term "Bowdlerize" was derived from his name, and it refers to the act of removing or altering content to make it more suitable or acceptable for certain audiences. Although he gained both popularity and criticism for his editing, Bowdler's meticulous and sometimes excessive alterations significantly impacted the way Shakespeare's works were perceived and read during the 19th century.

   Overall, Thomas Bowdler's legacy lies in his fervent dedication to producing a version of literature that adhered to his own moral and societal standards. While his approach to editing may be viewed as heavy-handed and restrictive by today's standards, his influence on the field of censorship and his impact on the availability and accessibility of literary classics cannot be denied.

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Etymology of THOMAS BOWDLER

The word "Thomas Bowdler" is not commonly associated with etymology, as it is a proper noun referring to a specific person. Thomas Bowdler (1754-1825) was an English physician and philanthropist known for publishing an expurgated edition of Shakespeare's works, called "The Family Shakespeare", in 1807. The term "bowdlerize" was later coined in reference to his name, meaning to censor or remove offensive or inappropriate material from a work. Therefore, the etymology of the word "Thomas Bowdler" is simply derived from the name of the person himself.