What kind of idiot is Richard? - or: Expletives in answers [duplicate]

Question

George Edison and I got in a discussion about my April 30 Rollback to a "NSFW" version of the famous "RichardIsA...." answer to the old "Source code comments" question.

While I'm in favour of not using expletives in everyday language here on the site, I strongly feel that editing out the "Fuck"s from this answer is wrong because

• it's a WTF classic, and a piece of art, and needs to be either left the way it is or removed completely. Also, it's a quote from a third person.

• It's not "NSFW" like an image of a nude person that could get you in trouble at work.

• It's almost three years old and has been viewed by 433,000 users without an adverse effect on Stack Overflow's culture of communication.

my opinion here is, if you're offended, then don't look at it.

I have reverted it to the "NSFW" version that also contains the OP's very relevant update. I'm not interested in an edit war, and can live with whichever outcome, but a community ruling on this would be good.

Answer 1

Profanity is not acceptable in comments, answers or questions. (or tags).

We at no point want to indicate that it is.

StackOverflow is populated by a community of professionals and adults. We are people who have been exposed to swearing. None of us have virgin ears, and it's highly unlikely that any of us have delicate sensibilities ("what's a forechan?"). However, as professionals, we should be able to manage the simple common courtesy of politeness.

It is basic professional reality that certainly when dealing with clients, bosses, even teammates, we are expected to behave in a civil manner. In the real world (when I'm unplugged) I swear quite a bit, even with some of my clients. But I would never include it in an email, and I would never swear at anyone I didn't already know, and quite simply, that is EVERYONE on StackOverflow.

However, I feel that the particular instance that has been linked is acceptable. A few reasons.

1. It is old. Grandfather clause: things that were here before the rules were hardened can often stay.
2. It is in a joke-style question."What is the worst comment?" Of course there is going to be swearing, that's what makes it bad!
3. It is a direct quote. The poster is not using the word to make his point, he was quoting something else, and the swearing was part of the point. None of the obscenity was added.

Those three rules pretty much exclude any new posts from including acceptable obscenity.

Answer 2

I support this particular case, but not as a general rule.

Answer 3

There's a difference between using profanity and quoting somebody else using profanity. In this case, the profanity is essential to the answer, in that the answer cannot be properly understood without the vulgar words in the quote.

Therefore, if any use of such words is justified, this is. I don't get to say what the dividing line should be, but I'm fine with this answer personally.

Answer 4

I don't think I'm an idiot.

But I'm not sure I get a vote.

Answer 5

To the arguments over what the "OP" wanted (me) - I did in fact accept a SFW version at one point, but it was out of reluctance and the fact that the post was being flagged. This was at the stage of the site where if you got 5 flags, over any time period no matter how many upvotes it was deleted.

It is my desire and intention to have the (f$@&ing) original post, with expletives. =)

Answer 6

I personally think it's offensive and should be removed. Many people use StackOverflow in a corporate environment where this type of thing would set off filters and whatnot.

And besides, just because it's art doesn't make it suddenly acceptable.

Edit:: this answer may shed some light on what the standard has been.
_{Credit to @Andy E --^}