BOWDLERISER Meaning and
Definition
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A bowdleriser, often spelled as "bowdlerizer," is a noun that refers to an individual or entity involved in the process of censoring or sanitizing literary works, movies, or any form of media to remove or alter controversial, offensive, or sexually explicit content. Derived from the name of Thomas Bowdler, an English physician who published an expurgated edition of Shakespeare's plays in the early 19th century, the term has come to signify someone engaged in the act of revising creative works to make them more suitable or acceptable for general audiences.
The primary objective of a bowdleriser is to eliminate any explicit, vulgar, or sensitive materials from a piece of art, literature, or entertainment, altering its original context. By doing so, the bowdleriser aims to make the content appropriate for a wider range of readers or viewers, including those from conservative or easily offended backgrounds. This act of censorship can encompass various elements like language, scenes of violence, sexual content, themes of controversial subjects, or even political content deemed inappropriate.
However, the practice of bowdlerising often receives criticism from artistic and literary communities as it infringes upon the original creative intent, changing the tone and integrity of the work. Bowdlerisers are hence considered by some as individuals who apply their own subjective judgment, imposing a form of moral policing or limiting artistic freedom.
In summary, a bowdleriser is a person or entity that edits, censors, or sanitizes creative works to remove or alter content considered offensive, controversial, or inappropriate.
Common Misspellings for BOWDLERISER
- vowdleriser
- nowdleriser
- howdleriser
- gowdleriser
- biwdleriser
- bkwdleriser
- blwdleriser
- bpwdleriser
- b0wdleriser
- b9wdleriser
- boqdleriser
- boadleriser
- bosdleriser
- boedleriser
- bo3dleriser
- bo2dleriser
- bowsleriser
- bowxleriser
- bowcleriser
- bowfleriser
Etymology of BOWDLERISER
The word "bowdleriser" is derived from the name of Thomas Bowdler, an English physician and editor known for his heavily censored edition of William Shakespeare's works. Bowdler published a version of Shakespeare in 1818 titled "The Family Shakespeare", aimed at removing what he considered to be inappropriate or offensive content, particularly any references to sexuality or coarse language.
His action of sanitizing literature in this manner gained him both praise and criticism. Over time, the term "Bowdlerize" came to mean the act of removing or censoring material, and subsequently, "bowdleriser" was derived as a noun to describe someone who engages in such censorship. It refers to individuals who expurgate or edit texts to make them more appropriate or palatable to certain audiences, particularly in terms of removing offensive or controversial content.
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