(Possibly NSFW) Why are certain parts of curse words not allowed on TV?

I have never understood what is allowed and what isn’t. I’m talking non HBO. Especially confusing when watching re-runs – as different decades allowed for different terms.

What especially gets me is that ass is allowed. Asshole is not. The ass will be allowed, then the hole part bleeped. Why is the hole singled out? It’s just a rectum.

Don’t they ever have proctology matters discussed on the Hospital shows? What if there are fissures et al involved? Can they not say rectum? Assholes.

I think it may be related to the amount of courage the network exec’s have to use the words. Some of the newer channels (TCM, AMC, etc) stay close to the original script. The main networks, NBC, CBS, ABC, are cowards and don’t push the envelope at all.

Ass is not bleeped, because without hole it can be said to have referred to a donkey. He is an ass really means jackass, which is donkey.

Damn is thought to stand alone and not be a curse word. You can damn someone to hell for example. God damn is “taking the Lord’s name in vain” and is thus a broken commandment.

@marinelife beat me too it, taking God’s name in vain. And, because when it is related to bodily functions or body part it is typically not allowed. Asshole is a slang curse word for a particular part of the body. You can say rectum. Shit, fuck, all curse words that mean bowel movement and sex, respectively. People seem to find those type of words offensive. I think religious people find it more than offensive.

Zensky’s answer is right on the money. Different generations give different FCC regulations as to what is and is not allowed.

Cable is another case, altogether.

It used to be simpler – there were just seven words you couldn’t say on television.

It’s a link to a classic skit by George Carlin.

I agree with @marinelife about Gods name in vain. As for Ass hole, it is probably because it is to graffic. You are pointing out the hole part of the ass. Ass, by its self isn’t so bad. Ass is just the cheeks you sit on. The hole part takes on other visions because of its primary function.

OMG – the primary function is to defecate, shit, crap, make a doo doo. You can talk about the other orifices on TV – including the, wait for it, Vagina, yet you can’t say asshole?

@zensky GA, Carlin was an original.

@zensky Vagina is the correct term for that anatomical part of the body. You can say anus, rectum, colon, etc.

What can I say. Some people think the hole that traffics shit on a daily basis is nastier. I know I can say, I’m having my period and people don’t get as squeamish. Yet it I say I just laid a big crapper in the toilet or I have the runs and you will get the worst reaction out of people.
Doo doo is just not in with the crowd. Unless you talking to little kids.

@JLeslie I don’t know about rectum.

@zensky I am pretty sure Dr. Oz would say it.

Enthusiastically.

The asshole thing always bothered me too. We need to grow the fuck up in the country and stop fearing the evil bad words – _ -

It’s this camel’s nose thing that’s trying to make a mockery of polite speech in media.

“You! You! You Godhole!!!”

Actually, I’d wish they’d censor all swear words from t.v. Call me old-fashioned, but people learn things on t.v., especially children, and swear words and violence are no exception.

Some words are more vulgar and crude than others, so they aren’t allowed on t.v. compared to words like “damn” and “hell”. Movies showcase the worst. But for some perverted reason, a lot of people think that by putting in as many swear words in a movie, it makes it more “cool”. To me, being crude and sounding messed up is not cool at all.

@MRSHINYSHOES That’s what parents are for.

@augustlan Yes, and unfortunately, it’s always the good (better) parents who do the job and have to deal with the crap that’s out there. The majority doesn’t care, so it continues and worsens.

Mostly agreed, @MRSHINYSHOES. I’d like to see our culture stop tolerating such rampant profanity. I feel that some violence is helpful in establishing concepts about Good and Evil and consequence.

The ones pertaining to God are particularly vexing; they imply that you, puny mortal that you are, are going to make God do something.

If all swear words were censored on TV – all swear words – all TV – as someone suggested, then swear words would be like the forbidden fruit. Kids are too smart for that shit – they would quickly adopt all swear words and use them ad nauseum – like the child who grows up unallowed to eat candy or drink soda at home – binging secretly with friends; stealing money to buy it on the sly.

Let’s join the 21st century and democratic values, like free speech, shall we? That was rhetorical and slightly sarcastic – things that might be censored next.