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Bowdlerizer for Dummies

noun


What does Bowdlerizer really mean?

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Bowdlerizer is a word that may seem quite unfamiliar at first, but fear not, because I'm here to help you understand it in the easiest way possible! So, let's dive in, shall we?

Now, imagine you're reading a really amazing book. It's filled with adventure, excitement, and maybe even a little bit of magic. But, what if I told you that someone came along and started taking out all the parts they thought were "inappropriate" or "offensive"? That's what a Bowdlerizer does.

A Bowdlerizer is like a person who has the power to change a story or a piece of writing by removing or altering parts they consider to be inappropriate, sensitive, or offensive. Just like a super picky editor! They might think certain words, ideas, or even characters need to be removed or changed, often because they believe they might be harmful or offensive to certain readers.

Let's say you're reading a classic fairy tale that has been bowdlerized. The Bowdlerizer might remove any scary scenes or words that they think might scare or upset readers. They may even soften the characters or change their dialogue to make it more suitable for a younger audience.

There's another meaning of Bowdlerizer, too! Did you know that this word actually comes from a person's name? Yeah, it's quite interesting! It all traces back to a man named Thomas Bowdler, who lived a long time ago. He was known for publishing a version of Shakespeare's plays that he thought was more appropriate for families and children. Basically, he deleted or changed parts he considered inappropriate. A bit like creating a "PG" version of something, you know, like in movies?

So, that's what a Bowdlerizer means in a nutshell. It's a person who changes or removes parts of a story or writing they consider to be inappropriate or offensive, with the aim of making it more suitable for certain readers. Just like an editor with super strict rules! And remember, it all started with a man named Thomas Bowdler. Cool, right?


Revised and Fact checked by Olivia White on 2023-10-28 10:24:42

Bowdlerizer In a sentece

Learn how to use Bowdlerizer inside a sentece

  • A teacher used a bowdlerizer to remove the inappropriate parts of a book so that it can be read by younger students.
  • The editor was a bowdlerizer who removed any content from the article that controversial or might offend someone.
  • The TV show was bowdlerized before it aired on the children's channel, so it would be appropriate for young viewers.
  • The book was bowdlerized to make it suitable for a conservative audience by removing any scenes that were considered too explicit.
  • In the past, many classic stories were bowdlerized to fit the moral standards of the time by removing or changing certain parts.

Bowdlerizer Synonyms

Words that can be interchanged for the original word in the same context.

Bowdlerizer Hypernyms

Words that are more generic than the original word.