bowdlerisation Definition
the act of removing or modifying parts of a text, film, etc. considered offensive or vulgar.
Using bowdlerisation: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "bowdlerisation" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
The movie was criticized for its bowdlerization of the original novel.
Example
The publisher demanded bowdlerisation of the manuscript before it could be printed.
Example
The book's bowdlerisation removed all references to sex and violence.
bowdlerisation Synonyms and Antonyms
Synonyms for bowdlerisation
Phrases with bowdlerisation
to remove or modify parts of a text, film, etc. considered offensive or vulgar
Example
The movie was bowdlerized to make it more suitable for children.
a modified version of a text, film, etc. that has had offensive or vulgar parts removed or modified
Example
The bowdlerized version of the book was used in schools to avoid controversy.
a person who removes or modifies parts of a text, film, etc. considered offensive or vulgar
Example
The bowdlerizer removed all the swear words from the script.
Origins of bowdlerisation
named after Thomas Bowdler, who published an expurgated edition of Shakespeare's works in 1807
Summary: bowdlerisation in Brief
The term 'bowdlerisation' [ˌbaʊdləraɪˈzeɪʃən] refers to the act of removing or modifying parts of a text, film, etc. considered offensive or vulgar. It is named after Thomas Bowdler, who published an expurgated edition of Shakespeare's works in 1807. 'Bowdlerisation' is often used as a synonym for censorship, redaction, or editing, and can be seen in phrases like 'bowdlerized version' and 'bowdlerizer.'
