I use Word when writing stories. This morning Word took a while to open. “Updating,” my computer told me. I was happy enough with the way Word was, and I was a bit worried about what might have changed. So far the only thing I’ve noticed is that I get a faint underline beneath words or phrases that Word thinks some readers might find offensive. In the few paragraphs I wrote, these included “cunt,” “blowjob,” and “butt hole.” I don’t mind these warnings, as long as that’s as far as it goes. I’m happy to have the input. In fiction my philosophy is anything goes. I do remember in my early teens upon first encountering erotica that I was a bit offended by the word “tits.” I thought something so special as a woman’s breasts shouldn’t be reduced to the vulgar. But then a friend of mine, pointing to the oversized breasts in a Mad Magazine illustration about bowling, said, “Look at the bazoomers on this one.” I’m not sure if there’s one z or two in bazoomers. Word doesn’t say. It was a great illustration, though; the bazoomers, bigger than 16 pound bowling balls, were flying all but free of the woman’s loose and perhaps modestly unbuttoned blouse.
Likely lots of racial appellations will get the faint underline. I’m fine with that, too, as long as my text isn’t censored.
I am a bit curious whether there are words or phrases the SoL reader finds offensive in fiction. Okay, I confess, I’m offended by “they” referring to a person who doesn’t want to be “he” or “she.” What’s wrong with “it”? Maybe I’ll outgrow it, just like I outgrew tits.