Replacing/inserting special characters in certain words

[go_go_gadget]

I've noticed that some words, when used in the context of discussing sexuality on these forums, are printed with special characters (&*$#, etc.) to replace some of the characters. I'd thought the forum replaced them automatically, but today I realized that it's not always the same character used, and sometimes words that are innocuous in other contexts have characters replaced when used to refer to such issues so I think it must be user-generated. So I'm wondering--is there a forum rule to that end? I know sometimes forums use code words for sexual acts to avoid being brought up in searches by unsavory sorts, but these replacement characters don't seem like they would serve that purpose. I'm just curious, really, and also don't want to violate a forum custom if there is one.

[stripe]

No, some people just do it. Others don't. Some words don't get xed out automatically, like" nigger" or "ass," but others do like **** for being sent to purgatory.

 

My favorite is v*gan. I never figured out why that warranted a *.

[go_go_gadget]

I'm not sure why any of them warrant it (why do people use those words if they feel the need to do that to them? It's not as though they actually want to prevent people from reading the words) but thanks for the clarification!

[stripe]

The only answer I've ever understood is that it's some way to prevent spam or robots or weird internet attention. But again, why "v*gan."