"Bowdlerising" Pronounce,Meaning And Examples

"Bowdlerising" Natural Recordings by Native Speakers

Bowdlerising

"Bowdlerising" Meaning

Bowdlerising refers to the act of editing or censoring a text, film, or other medium to make it more acceptable or suitable for a general audience, particularly by removing or modifying explicit or offensive content. The term originates from the name of Thomas Bowdler, an English clergyman who published a version of Shakespeare's plays in 1818 that had the more violent and sexual passages omitted.

"Bowdlerising" Examples

Bowdlerising

Definition

Bowdlerising refers to the act of modifying or censoring materials, especially texts, to make them more acceptable or suitable for a wider audience, often by removing or altering offensive or explicit content.

Examples

1. The publisher attempted to bowdlerise the novel by removing the more explicit passages to make it suitable for a younger audience.

In this example, the publisher modified the text to make it more acceptable for a younger audience.

2. During the 19th century, many books were bowdlerised to remove references to sexuality, violence, and other taboo subjects.

Here, the practice of bowdlerising was common in the 19th century to remove offensive content from literature.

3. The filmmakers bowdlerised the graphic novel to make it more suitable for family viewing.

In this case, the filmmakers modified the graphic novel to make it more acceptable for a family audience.

4. The school administration insisted on bowdlerising the curriculum to avoid controversy and maintain a positive public image.

Here, the school administration sought to modify the curriculum to avoid controversy and maintain a positive image.

5. By bowdlerising the language, the author was able to make the poem more accessible and appealing to a wider audience.

In this example, the author modified the language to make the poem more acceptable and appealing to a broader audience.

"Bowdlerising" Similar Words

Bow-legged

Bow-legged refers to a person's legs being slightly bent or curved outward, often due to a physical condition or anatomical feature. This can be caused by a variety of factors, including genetics, muscle imbalances, or other health conditions. In some cases, bow-leggedness can be a normal variation in leg shape, while in others it may be considered a cosmetic issue or affect the person's mobility or posture.

Bow-tie

A bow-tie is a type of necktie that is shaped like a bow with two loops and a knot in the middle. It is typically made of silk or cotton and is worn on formal occasions, such as black-tie events, academic ceremonies, or to add a touch of elegance to a suit and tie combination. Bow-ties are often associated with elegance, sophistication, and intellectual pursuits, particularly in academic and artistic circles.

Bow

The word "bow" can have multiple meanings depending on the context. 1. A bow can refer to a ribbon or strip of fabric tied around the neck or attached to an object, typically worn as a symbol of honor, respect, or as a decorative item. Example sentence: The student wore a bow on his jacket for the school ceremony. 2. A bow can also refer to the act of bending one's head or upper body in reverence or respect, such as in greeting or showing admiration. Example sentence: She bowed her head to show respect to the queen. 3. In archery, a bow is a curved, bent, or racket-shaped tool used to propel arrows. Example sentence: The archer drew back the string and released the arrow using her trusty bow. 4. A bow can also refer to the front part of a ship, typically the flat or raised deck located at the forward part of a vessel. Example sentence: The captain stood on the bow of the ship, scanning the horizon for signs of land. In everyday language, "bow" is often used as a verb, meaning to bend or curve something, such as: "Bow your head in respect" or "Bow the violin strings". In summary, the word "bow" can have different meanings depending on the context in which it is used, ranging from a decorative item to a type of ship part, and from a gesture of respect to a physical act of bending.

Bowdler

Bowdler refers to the act of censoring or expurgating parts of a book, play, or other written work considered to be offensive, obscene, or immoral, often by removing or modifying explicit language, scenes, or descriptions. This term originated from Thomas Bowdler, an English physician who published a version of Shakespeare's plays with many of the more objectionable phrases removed, thereby creating a more "family-friendly" adaptation. As a result, the verb "to bowdlerize" means to modify or edit written work to make it more acceptable to a wider audience, often by removing offending content.

Bowdlerisation

Bowdlerisation is the process of modifying or censoring written or spoken text, usually to make it less offensive or explicit, by removing or altering words, phrases, or passages considered inappropriate or unrelated to the main topic. The term originates from the name of Thomas Bowdler, an English physician who, along with his sister, edited and censored Shakespeare's plays to make them more suitable for women and children, removing any offending language or content.

Bowdlerise

Bowdlerise (verb): to edit or abridge (a book, article, or other written work) to make it less offensive or scandalous, often by removing or modifying passages that are considered inappropriate or offensive.

Bowdlerised

Bowdlerised refers to a revised or expurgated version of a text, typically a book or play, in which offensive or explicit content has been removed or toned down to make it less offensive or suitable for a wider audience. This is often done to make the material more acceptable for children, women, or people with conservative tastes. The term originates from Thomas Bowdler, an English doctor who published a censored edition of Shakespeare's plays in the early 19th century. Despite the rather negative connotations, bowdlerisation is often used to make art and literature more accessible and enjoyable for a broader audience.

Bowdlerises

Bowdlerises is a verb that means to censor or edit something, especially literature, to make it more suitable for a wider audience by removing offensive or explicit material. The word is derived from the name of Thomas Bowdler, who published a sanitized version of Shakespeare's plays in the 19th century. Today, the term is often used to describe the process of editing out mature themes, profanity, or graphic content to make a work more family-friendly or acceptable to a broader audience.

Bowdlerism

Bowdlerism refers to the act of censoring or moderating language, literature, or other forms of expression to remove offending words or phrases, often to make it more acceptable to a wider audience or to conform to social norms. This term comes from the name of Thomas Bowdler, a British physician who published a version of Shakespeare's plays with offensive words and phrases removed, making them more suitable for polite society. As a result, bowdlerism has come to represent a form of moral or cultural censorship, where certain words, ideas, or references are deemed inappropriate or too racy for mainstream consumption.