So... Erfworld is censored?

[ShneekeyTheLost]

I always knew it as John Crapper, not Thomas. Which was the explanation of why the bathroom is also called the "john"

I was always under the impression that it was known as 'The John' after King John, who was so terrible, his nobles got together to force the Magna Carta on him and create a democratic monarchy who is not above the law.

Anyways, I like this. Boop may become my new not-a-swear-word-honestly word.

[Darth Paradox]

I was always under the impression that it was known as 'The John' after King John, who was so terrible, his nobles got together to force the Magna Carta on him and create a democratic monarchy who is not above the law.

Anyways, I like this. Boop may become my new not-a-swear-word-honestly word.

I'm pretty sure that was just a joke from Men In Tights.

However, IIRC that's the reason that there hasn't been a king named John since.

Regarding the toilet, the original inventor was apparently John Harington, and the slang was derived from his name, according to Wikipedia.

[Wardog]

An occasional F-bomb WOULD spice up OOTS some, yes. I can think of two or three occasions where it would have been appropriate.

I disagree. I even think Durkon's "Wanker" seemed out of place.

It's not that I have a problem with swearing, it's just that it doesn't seem to me to fit with the style of OOTS.

[Stormblade]

I would like to propose the idea that "Boop" is for the sound of the noise sometimes used to censor audio.

[Erk]

I thought that was already assumed, stormblade...

[Aliquid]

I thought that was already assumed, stormblade...

Well I think some people might have been thinking he was saying the word "boop", and didn't realize that might be the beeping sound "boop".

[Beleriphon]

Well I think some people might have been thinking he was saying the word "boop", and didn't realize that might be the beeping sound "boop".

Logical assumption, but I expect that he's trying to swear but boop actually comes out. It isn't a filter so much as Parson being physically incapable of cursing because he's in Erfworld. The most obvious reference that the boop draws upon is the sound used as an audio sensor, although for that to be more clear I think a beep would have been a better choice. Boop is not what I think of when I hear that sounds, beep however certainly is.

[Whisper]

At the end of 20 Wanda says "you will only say that word again". I took that word as actually being Boop verses a sound.

[SteveMB]

Hmmm... interesting that language is censored, but violence (including violence with obvious BDSM overtones) isn't.

[TinSoldier]

Hmmm... interesting that language is censored, but violence (including violence with obvious BDSM overtones) isn't.

And how is that different from almost any other media (at least in the US)?

[agentx42]

I doubt that it is censored because it is hosted here. It might not be hosted here if it contained swear words.

I think that it is just part of the world that is filled with many somewhat childish things.

Right. Rich has used G-D in OotS before, so it's not unprecedented to see obscenities. I think it's just an Erfworld thing.

[Webwalker]

Maybe it will be explained in the comic itself; as someone pointed out, Parson knows that he's saying Boop instead of swearing, and isn't intending to swear. Just another mystery about Erfworld that will hopefully get explained.

[Flakey]

Crapper was involved in the plumbing business in 19th century England, but did not invent it.

He did not invent it, but add several improvements to the "new style" flushing toilets, and thereby won the contract to outfit the majority of English army bases with them. So blame english soliders for the word :)

I would say in my experience in England though, that the two words seem to carry equal wieght in every day usage.

[agentx42]

I disagree. I even think Durkon's "Wanker" seemed out of place.

It's not that I have a problem with swearing, it's just that it doesn't seem to me to fit with the style of OOTS.

Actually...

http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0029.html

http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0134.html

In case anyone wants proof that Rich occasionally drops a blasphemy or two. However, since Comedy Central bleeps out everything else but lets THAT word go, I see no reason why Rich can't use it, either.

[SteveMB]

Maybe it will be explained in the comic itself; as someone pointed out, Parson knows that he's saying Boop instead of swearing, and isn't intending to swear.

Huh? I think he most definitely did intend to swear at first (though perhaps that changed when he realized that swear words came out as "boop").

[dakiwiboid]

I love "boop", personally, and I wish I weren't so old to retrain myself to start using it in my own vocabulary. I mean, "boop me in the boop" is such a fine near-obscenity!

[Space-Is-Curved]

My younger brother reads Erfworld, so I am glad it is censored.

[SteveMB]

My younger brother reads Erfworld, so I am glad it is censored.

So, what does he think of #28 & #30?