The History of the Fabulous $&#*ing Grawlix

February 28, 2019 7:40 AM

Phil Edwards explains the early history of the grawlix, or the substitution of random characters for swear words in comic strips. SLYT, 4:28; via kottke.org
posted by Etrigan (10 comments total)

I saw this a while ago and thought it was interesting, but it didn't note it's own lack of American / English language bias.

Comics and the history of is not solely and English Language domain thing.
posted by Faintdreams at 7:50 AM on February 28, 2019

Well, £π√=∆
posted by clavdivs at 8:08 AM on February 28, 2019

Can't find it now but years ago there was available a specialized grawlix typeface known as maledicta.
posted by bz at 8:30 AM on February 28, 2019 [3 favorites]

Anyone else spend a rather embarrassingly long time getting the   $*ing     &*@$%$#   "just right"?
posted by sammyo at 10:54 AM on February 28, 2019 [3 favorites]

Grrrr, now I'll probably get friggn banned for abusing the edit window....
posted by sammyo at 11:00 AM on February 28, 2019

[1 kH sinewive]ing fascinating.
posted by The Ardship of Cambry at 11:26 AM on February 28, 2019

I like it best when it's as obvious as rot-13

i.e.

$#!T
posted by chavenet at 11:29 AM on February 28, 2019

I still think Asterix has the most fun with these, especially when playing with translations between the many languages and cultures of the Roman empire, with a nod to then-recent European history. But it's the ones between Fulliautomatix and Unhygenix that are most consistent.
posted by scruss at 11:55 AM on February 28, 2019 [4 favorites]

Such a foul-mouthed narrator, tho
posted by ckape at 3:14 PM on February 28, 2019

I want a OS named grawlux, #&!* you very much.
posted by theora55 at 4:56 AM on March 2, 2019