splat out

[Usenet; syn. disemvowel] To partially obscure a potentially provocative word by substituting {splat} characters for some of its letters (usually, but not always, the vowels). The purpose is not to make the word unrecognizable but to make it a mention rather than a use, so that no flamewar ensues. Words often splatted out include N*z* (see {Godwin's Law}), k*bo* (see {KIBO}, sense 2), *v*l*t**n (anywhere fundamentalists might be lurking), *b*rt**n, and g*n c*ntr*l. Compare {UN*X}.

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