bowdlerize etymology

Etymology:

• Originated from the name of Thomas Bowdler, an English physician and editor (1754-1832)
• Bowdler edited the works of Shakespeare and other authors, removing or altering anything he deemed offensive, especially in terms of sexuality or religious matters

Meaning:

• To expurgate or censor a work of literature or art by removing or modifying anything considered offensive
• To make something more acceptable to a particular audience or set of standards

Origin:

• Coined by William Makepeace Thackeray in his 1840 satirical novel "The Paris Sketch Book"
• Thackeray used the term to satirize Bowdler's practice of censoring literature, referring to a book that had been "bowdlerized" by removing all references to prostitutes and profanity
• The term quickly gained popularity and became synonymous with censorship or expurgation of offensive material

bowdlerize relate terms

• contract

  Etymology The word contract comes from the Latin word contractus which means drawn

• abbreviate

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• abridge

  Etymology Late Middle English from Old French abregier from Vulgar Latin abbreviare

• reduce

  Etymology Latin reducere from re back ducere to lead Middle French reduir

• keep

  Etymology Derived from the Middle English word kepen meaning to hold or guard Me

• adamant

  Etymology The word adamant comes from the Greek word adamas which means unconquerabl

• balance

  Etymology Middle English balaunce from Old French balance from Latin bilanx bilance

• fall

  Etymology Middle English fallen Old English feallan Proto Germanic fallaną Meani