Question
Thomas and Henrietta Bowdler's edition of The Family Shakespeare gave rise to the word "Bowdlerize". What does it mean?
The correct answer is
the expurgation of indelicate language
Understanding Bowdlerize Definition
The term "Bowdlerize" originated from the Bowdler family, specifically Thomas and Henrietta Bowdler, who published an edition of Shakespeare's works in the early 19th century.
Their aim was to create an edition suitable for family reading, which involved removing or altering words and passages considered indecent, offensive, or otherwise inappropriate for the time.
Meaning of Bowdlerize
Based on its origin, "Bowdlerize" specifically refers to:
- The act of expurgating (removing or editing out) material considered indecent or offensive from a text.
- Specifically, it often relates to the removal of indelicate language or sensitive content to make a work more acceptable to a wider audience, particularly families.
Therefore, the correct meaning aligns with the expurgation of indelicate language.
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