Word of the day: Bowdlerize
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Today’s word of the day is:
Bowdlerize
Bowdlerize: verb to amend a written work by removing or modifying passages considered vulgar or objectionable.
Pronunciation: bohd-luh-rahyz
Bowdlerize is the namesake of Thomas Bowdler, who published an edited version of Shakespeare’s plays in 1807. Bowdler claimed that he had removed “defects which diminish [the plays’] value.” The surname Bowdler has two possible origins: in reference to a person who buddles or is from Boelare (modern Nederboelare in Belgium). Bowdlerize was first recorded in English in the 1830s.
Example: The students noticed that their edition of Hamlet had been bowdlerized, with several exciting yet controversial scenes significantly whittled down.
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