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Originally Posted by IRISHMAFIA
Define foul language
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In 1964, Judge Potter Stewart once established the legal definition of hard-core pornography, "I know it when I see it."
I pretty much apply the same thumbrule with regards to foul language. If it makes my skin crawl, if it seems completely out-of-place, if it seems unusual or completely inappropriate ... then it's foul language.
That standard may be different for different umpires.
Do I maintain a list of words that I consider "foul" ... no. Sometimes the
tone or the
context of the word makes it "foul", when it might otherwise have been dismissed as a slip of the tongue.
A shortstop who mutters "Sh*t!" under her breath when booting a groundball will probably result in my ignoring it. (I may make a comment to her to be careful what she says. It would just be between me and her. I would not make a spectacle of it.) The same utterance, when taking a third strike and staring at me in disbelief will probably get her tossed.
David Emerling
Memphis, TN