Potentially Offensive FAQ | Potentially Offensive

Where can I comment on terms?

Discussions take place on Twitter. For each term listed, there is a corresponding tweet for comments and discussion. Slick the “View Discussions” button to join the discussion.

How can I learn what a term means or in what context it may be offensive?

There are several resources online to define terms, that is not the scope of Potentially Offensive. We recommend Urban Dictionary or a basic Google search.

Why is the term I submitted not showing up?

To avoid spam and abuse of the system, a quick review is necessary. Confirm your submission has been received and awaiting this review here.

Why does this term now have no (or very few) ratings?

If we believe a term is being abused or inappropriately rated by a large number of people, we will reset its ratings rather than adjusting its rating.

Are misspellings appropriate to include here?

Yes, they can be. If enough people associate a misspelling of something offensive as offensive, it may meet the criteria visitors are seeking to avoid.

Are acronyms and abbreviations appropriate to include here?

Yes, they can be. If enough people associate an acronym or abbreviation as offensive, it may meet the criteria visitors are seeking to avoid.

How can I change my rating for a term?

Currently it is not possible to modify a rating once selected. You can however rate it again to offset an erroneous rating by accessing the site from another location (IP address is leveraged to limit repeat ratings).