grawlix

[prettygoodword]

grawlix - n., a string of typographical symbols used (especially in comics) to represent swearing or obscenities.


Coined by American cartoonist Mort Walker* in his Lexicon of Comicana, in what was intended as a satire but has since been adopted as a real technical term. Originally, grawlix was just the spiral-symbol but now refers to the whole set. (Hat tip to Language Log.)

* Yes, the creator of Beetle Bailey, may God have mercy on his soul.

---L.

Comments

[packbat.livejournal.com]

That is awesome.

[prettygoodword.livejournal.com]

It's @^*@#$% awsome.

---L.

[returnoftheblog.livejournal.com]

I need to use this $&#* word more $&#*ing often.