Problematic name

Some grammar rules (and embarrassing mistakes!) transcend the uniqueness of different regions and style guides. This new International Grammar section by OnlineBookClub.org ultimately identifies those rules thus providing a simple, flexible rule-set, respecting the differences between regions and style guides. You can feel free to ask general questions about spelling and grammar. You can also provide example sentences for other members to proofread and inform you of any grammar mistakes.

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Kshitija Sonawane
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Problematic name

Post by Kshitija Sonawane »

Hello, so I am reading this book. The name of a character here is Sheriff Goober H. Festerfuck. So, is this an instance of profanity or not?
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Ceildric
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Post by Ceildric »

Surely it is. That four letter word has no non-profane use in the English language that I can possibly think of, and that is certainly not a typical English surname. On the contrary, the author is invoking a stereotype familiar to Americans for the sake of mockery (a poor replacement for actually having an argument or point).
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Shirley Ann Riddern Labzentis
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Post by Shirley Ann Riddern Labzentis »

His name is definetly a severe profane word. The author is trying to either slip one past the reviewers or is using sarcasim. Either way, I would report it as a profane word in your review.
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Post by Eva Tillman »

Absolutely a case of profanity. If an English-speaking person is of age to submit a written work for publication, said person is not at all confused about the only usage of the last 4 letters of the Sheriff's surname.
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Post by Abbdul Razak »

We cannot deeply analyze and predict such names as profane or not profane. It comes from the source. If the name is a well old philosophical name then it isn't a profane. When you see the person and you ask for his name he would mention his name in full and if he is an author of a book, he or she would like to mention his or her full name as the author of the book.
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Kshitija Sonawane
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Post by Kshitija Sonawane »

Shirley Ann Riddern Labzentis wrote: 28 Dec 2023, 09:41 His name is definetly a severe profane word. The author is trying to either slip one past the reviewers or is using sarcasim. Either way, I would report it as a profane word in your review.
So, can I write his name in the review? He is the central character. I don't know how to proceed with things from here.
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Post by Shirley Ann Riddern Labzentis »

That is a tricky one. To be safe, I would call him, "the sheriff", Sheriff Goober", "the main character" or "the central character"
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Kshitija Sonawane
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Post by Kshitija Sonawane »

Shirley Ann Riddern Labzentis wrote: 31 Dec 2023, 09:38 That is a tricky one. To be safe, I would call him, "the sheriff", Sheriff Goober", "the main character" or "the central character"
Thank you so much :D
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Post by Daniel Roa »

I just finished reading the book and the author definitely tried to make a joke with that sheriff's name. No one would believe that it is an innocent coincidence, since the rest of the book maintains the same sarcastic and irreverent tone. Absolutely it is non-borderline profanity.
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Post by Tobi Adefila »

That's a tricky one. Guess the author knows what he is doing, just indicate it as a profane word
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