History Main / Bowdlerise

The inverse of this trope is AmericanKirbyIsHardcore. Yet another related trope is BleachedUnderpants, where a creator self-censors his work to appeal to a broader audience. There is also a CensoredTitle, for when a work seems to be Bowdlerized, but only the title is for marketing purposes.

[-[[caption-width-right:319:You know, [[GoofyPrintUnderwear the overly blatant portrayal of sexual symbols on this statue's underwear]] [[{{Irony}} really goes against the grain!]]]]-]

To Bowdlerise[[labelnote:Pronunciation]]"Bow" (as in "port bow" or "cow" minus c) plus "dler" (as in ''Film/SchindlersList'') plus "ise" (pronounced like eyes). Alternatively, those who know IPA: /ˈbaʊd.lə.ˌɹaɪz/.[[/labelnote]] means to alter existing programs, plays, etc. so they are less rude and/or offensive. Commonly, this takes the form of swapping "curse" words for [[GoshDangItToHeck euphemisms.]] The term is used in a negative sense, by those who think the alterations are often done with a ridiculously high [[OurLawyersAdvisedThisTrope fear of lawsuits]] and/or [[PoliticalCorrectnessGoneMad need for political correctness]]. Sometimes it's understandable -- different countries have different standards, and sometimes all it takes to change a show from something for teens to suitable for kids is the removal of a few swear words, [[GoshDangItToHeck darn it]]. Others are fairly reasonable for broadcast, such as toning down violence since ChildrenAreTenderHearted. Such modifications are also understandable when the work is being adapted into a play that will be [[AdaptationForChildPerformers performed by kids]], not just watched by them.

* AdaptationalModesty: Making a character's general dress sense more modest in an adaptation, and or cutting incidents that had them naked or in underwear.

To Bowdlerise[[labelnote:Pronunciation]]"Bow" (as in "port bow" or "cow" minus c) plus "dler" (as in ''Film/SchindlersList'') plus "ise" (pronounced like eyes). Alternatively, those who know IPA: /ˈbaʊd.lə.ˌɹaɪz/.[[/labelnote]] means to alter existing programs, plays, etc. so they are less rude and/or offensive. Commonly, this takes the form of swapping "curse" words for [[GoshDangItToHeck euphemisms.]] The term is used in a negative sense, by those who think the alterations are often done with a ridiculously high [[OurLawyersAdvisedThisTrope fear of lawsuits]] and/or [[PoliticalCorrectnessGoneMad need for political correctness]]. Sometimes it's understandable--different countries have different standards, and sometimes all it takes to change a show from something for teens to suitable for kids is the removal of a few swear words, [[GoshDangItToHeck darn it]]. Others are fairly reasonable for broadcast, such as toning down violence since ChildrenAreTenderHearted. Such modifications are also understandable when the work is being adapted into a play that will be [[AdaptationForChildPerformers performed by kids]], not just watched by them.

Censorship starts at editing out blood splatter and profanity. But it escalates pretty quickly. [[FrothyMugsOfWater Beer may become water even when it's adults drinking]]--even villainous adults. Cigarettes and cigars might be removed even though it's a bad guy smoking. [[FamilyFriendlyFirearms A six-round revolver can become a water gun or slingshot.]][[note]]Like what happened to the gun emoji.[[/note]] Then they start warping entire characters to the entire show so that a character is AmbiguouslyBi, as if a good guy being gay might encourage kids to be gay--when ironically a good guy being bi might just encourage a kid to experiment. [[NobodyCanDie Then when a situation presents itself where death should be a given, it's always avoided or explained away]], removing the idea of consequences stemming from dangerous activities. A girl hits a boy because he got her dirty, instead of because he might be groping her. A scene of a parent hitting their child is completely removed, making it look like they are running away over nothing.

* ShesAManInJapan: When a transgender character is changed to cisgender (Though this can also be for different reasons, such as the producers making a mistake or for language translation reasons).

* The nude saints in the Art/SistineChapel ''The Last Judgement'' had their genitalia painted over with garments after Michelangelo's death, leaving the schmuck who agreed to do it to forever be known as "the breeches maker." After a restoration effort in the twentieth century, the fresco survives unbreeched.

* DistancedFromCurrentEvents: Editing, delaying, or banning something (mostly TV shows and movies) due to the plot being similar to a real-life current event that may be considered to be done in poor taste. FunnyAneurysmMoment is similar, but only applies to past media that somehow "predicts" future bad events.

Censorship starts at editing out blood splatter and profanity. But it escalates pretty quickly. [[FrothyMugsOfWater Beer may become water even when it's adults drinking]]--even villainous adults. Cigarettes and cigars might be removed even though it's a bad guy smoking. [[FamilyFriendlyFirearms A six-round revolver can become a water gun or slingshot.]] Then they start warping entire characters to the entire show so that a character is AmbiguouslyBi, as if a good guy being gay might encourage kids to be gay--when ironically a good guy being bi might just encourage a kid to experiment. [[NobodyCanDie Then when a situation presents itself where death should be a given, it's always avoided or explained away]], removing the idea of consequences stemming from dangerous activities. A girl hits a boy because he got her dirty, instead of because he might be groping her. A scene of a parent hitting their child is completely removed, making it look like they are running away over nothing.

* ShesAManInJapan: When a transgender character is changed to cisgender.

* AdaptationalWeaponSwap: When certain weapons are considered risqué or seriously toxic for children, like brass knuckles or nunchucks, adaptations or reboots will trade those weapons will replace them with something parents will "approve" of.

To Bowdlerise[[labelnote:Pronunciation]]"Bow" (as in "port bow" or "cow" minus c) plus "dler" (as in ''Film/SchindlersList'') plus "ise" (pronounced like eyes). Alternatively, those who know IPA: /ˈbaʊd.lə.ˌɹaɪz/.[[/labelnote]] means to alter existing programs, plays, etc. so they are less rude and/or offensive. Commonly, this takes the form of swapping "curse" words for [[GoshDangItToHeck euphemisms.]] The term is used in a negative sense, by those who think the alterations are often done with a ridiculously high [[OurLawyersAdvisedThisTrope fear of lawsuits]] and/or [[PoliticalCorrectnessGoneMad need for political correctness]]. Sometimes it's understandable--different countries have different standards, and sometimes all it takes to change a show from something for teens to suitable for kids is the removal of a few swear words, [[GoshDangItToHeck darn it]]. Others are fairly reasonable for broadcast (editing out blood splatter, the careful clipping of a scene where a character is riddled by bullet holes). Such modifications are also understandable when the work is being adapted into a play that will be [[AdaptationForChildPerformers performed by kids]], not just watched by them.

* ''Animation/PleasantGoatAndBigBigWolf'' has been an notably example of this trope:
** Due to the accident that happened in April 6, 2013 on China where a boy accidentally burnt another two of his friends while trying to imitating a scene from the cartoon itself, starting with ''Paddi the Amazing Chef'', ropes were changed into jelly pudding-shaped rope or laser rope (made by Wolffy), the pot that the wolves used to cook the goats lacks the fire (in the later seasons, the pot were never appeared again), [[https://imgur.com/mwLYLZ4 Wolffy wears the safety hat when get launched into the sky,]] and Wolnie's uses of frying pan attack has been reduced (also applies in the last two films). In a few scenes, DontTryThisAtHome message were added, although it disappeared in the later seasons.

** The official Website/YouTube uploads of episodes 341-380, as well as the ''Great War in the Bizarre World'' arc, were edited to make them less violent, including removing violent scenes (including cutting the scenes with Wolnie beats Wolffy with her frying pan repeatly in episodes) and changing weapons to look less realistic.

** Also the official [=YouTube=] uploads of ''Joys of Seasons'' episodes have removed the scenes with Wolnie beats Wolffy with her frying pan repeatly or change knives into vegetable. Obviously a change.

* The German version of ''Space Crusade'', the simplified ''Tabletopgame/Warhammer40000'' offshoot, greatly stressed how humanitarian the Imperium was and rebranded all their ordnance as non-lethal weaponry (giving them nonsensical names in the process) that merely paralyzed or otherwise incapacitated enemies instead of outright killing them. This was done to appease the MoralGuardians who didn't want to see violent concent in what was considered a children's game (and who presumably would have gotten a stroke had they read what the setting was ''actually'' like). However, it has to be said that if one ignored the part from the manual that didn't refer to the rules and stats, it was otherwise indistinguishable from the normal game.

** The TCG itself gets toned down. In the OCG, it happens quite frequently that decks can heavily OTK. To prevent such very fast aggressive decks being played in the TCG they get banned or limited right before they get a release. A good example of this would be Temple of the Kings. A card that was [[http://yugioh.wikia.com/wiki/September_2010_Lists banned]] before the [[http://yugioh.wikia.com/wiki/Structure_Deck:_Marik_%28TCG%29 structure deck that contained that card]] was released.

%%* this happened to dungeon and dragons due to the satanic panic leading them to rename demons and devils

* this happened to dungeon and dragons due to the satanic panic leading them to rename demons and devils

CulturalTranslation can often contain elements of Bowdlerization, especially due to ValuesDissonance. See TWordEuphemism for a mild form of bowdlerization. See also CutAndPasteTranslation (which specifically refers to Bowdlerization in translated works and refers more to the final product than the process) and {{Disneyfication}} (which generally goes further, in not only removing content but adding new, "kid-friendly" content). See BluenoseBowdlerizer for when it happens here on the wiki.

** Due to the accident that happened in April 6, 2013 on China where a boy accidentally burnt another two of his friends while trying to imitating a scene from the cartoon itself, starting with ''Paddi the Amazing Chef'', ropes were changed into jelly pudding-shaped rope or laser rope (made by Wolffy), the pot that the wolves used to cook the goats lacks the fire (in the later seasons, the pot were never appeared again), [[https://imgur.com/mwLYLZ4 Wolffy wears the safety hat when get launched into the sky,]] and Wolnie's uses of frying pan attack has been reduced (also applies in the last two films). In a few scenes, DontTryThisAtHome message were added, although it was disappeared in the later seasons.

* FamilyFriendlyFirearms: Replacing realistic weapons with more fantastic or less lethal (often silly, in the case of ''Manga/OnePiece'') ones.

* this happened to dungeon and dragons due to the satanic leading them to rename demons and devils

** Due to the accident that happened in April 6, 2013 on China where a boy accidentally burnt another two of his friends while trying to imitating a scene from the cartoon itself, starting with ''Paddi the Amazing Chef'', ropes were changed into jelly pudding-shaped rope or laser rope (made by Wolffy), the pot that the wolves used to cook the goats lacks the fire (in the later seasons, the pot were never appeared again), [[https://i0.hdslb.com/bfs/article/6d05514f0ff4302cad71bcffb4157144ab01d609.png@1320w_1242h.webp Wolffy wears the safety hat when get launched into the sky,]] and Wolnie's uses of frying pan attack has been reduced (also applies in the sixth film). In a few scenes, DontTryThisAtHome message were added, although it was disappeared in the later seasons.

To Bowdlerise[[labelnote:Pronunciation]]"Bow" (as in "port bow" or "cow" minus c) plus "dler" (as in ''Film/SchindlersList'') plus "ise" (pronounced like eyes). Alternatively, those who know IPA: /ˈbaʊd.lə.ˌɹaɪz/.[[/labelnote]] means to alter existing programs, plays, etc. so they are less rude and/or offensive. Commonly, this takes the form of swapping "curse" words for [[GoshDangItToHeck euphemisms.]] The term is used in a negative sense, by those who think the alterations are often done with a ridiculously high [[OurLawyersAdvisedThisTrope fear of lawsuits]] and/or [[PoliticalCorrectnessGoneMad need for political correctness]]. Sometimes it's understandable--different countries have different standards, and sometimes all it takes to change a show from something for teens to suitable for kids is the removal of a few swear words, [[GoshDangItToHeck darn it]]. Others are fairly reasonable for broadcast (editing out blood splatter, the careful clipping of a scene where a character is riddled by bullet holes). Such modifications are also understandable when the work is being adapted into a play that will be [[Main/AdaptationForChildPerformers performed by kids]], not just watched by them.

But true Bowdlerizing starts when you actually lower the quality of the art or story in some way in the editing, sometimes as little as spoiling jokes or perhaps making villains not look quite as evil, but escalating to damaging the plot, making dialogue confusing, and making heroes look pure and shiny. And at its very "best", it can make a situation ''less'' acceptable. In many cases (such as the airing of R- and NC-17-rated films on broadcast television or the release of sexual, violent or edgy material in countries where such things are known to be forbidden), the viewer/listener/reader is often left wondering why a release in such a venue was even attempted.

Censorship starts at editing out blood splatter and profanity. But it escalates pretty quickly. [[FrothyMugsOfWater Beer may become water even when it's adults drinking]]--even villainous adults. Cigarettes and cigars might be removed even though it's a bad guy smoking. [[FamilyFriendlyFirearms A six-round revolver can become a water gun or slingshot.]] Then they start warping entire characters to entire show so that a character is AmbiguouslyBi, as if a good guy being gay might encourage kids to be gay--when ironically a good guy being bi might just encourage a kid to experiment. [[NobodyCanDie Then when a situation presents itself where death should be a given, it's always avoided or explained away]], removing the idea of consequences stemming from dangerous activities. A girl hits a boy because he got her dirty, instead of because he might be groping her. A scene of a parent hitting their child is completely removed, making it look like they are running away over nothing.

CulturalTranslation can often contain elements of Bowdlerization, especially due to ValuesDissonance. See TWordEuphemism for a mild form of bowdlerization. See also CutAndPasteTranslation (which specifically refers to Bowdlerization in translated works and refers more to the final product than the process) and {{Disneyfication}} (which generally goes further, in not only removing content, but adding new, "kid-friendly" content). See BluenoseBowdlerizer for when it happens here on the wiki.

Tropes which often or always arise from Bowdlerisation include:

* ShesAManInJapan, GetBackInTheCloset, and HideYourLesbians: Changing a homosexual or transgender character into a heterosexual or cisgender character (and turning their gay or lesbian relationships into heterosexual ones) for less tolerant audiences.

To Bowdlerise[[labelnote:Pronunciation]]"Bow" (as in "port bow" or "cow" minus c) plus "dler" (as in ''Film/SchindlersList'') plus "ise" (pronounced like eyes). Alternatively, those who know IPA: /ˈbaʊd.lə.ˌɹaɪz/.[[/labelnote]] means to alter existing programs, plays, etc. so they are less rude and/or offensive. Commonly, this takes the form of swapping "curse" words for [[GoshDangItToHeck euphemisms.]] The term is used in a negative sense, by those who think the alterations are often done with a ridiculously high [[OurLawyersAdvisedThisTrope fear of lawsuits]] and/or [[PoliticalCorrectnessGoneMad need for political correctness]]. Sometimes it's understandable--different countries have different standards, and sometimes all it takes to change a show from something for teens to suitable for kids is the removal of a few swear words, [[GoshDangItToHeck darn it]]. Others are fairly reasonable for broadcast (editing out blood splatter, the careful clipping of a scene where a character is riddled by bullet holes).

* AdaptationalModesty: An adaptation makes a character's usual dress sense much less revealing than in the original, or tones down or cuts incidents involving characters being naked or partially-clad.

* SparedByTheAdaptation: Not necessarily Bowdlerisation, but can be if the result is to make the body count of an originally violent work significantly lower, or zero.

[[folder:Webcomics]]
* An Adam Ellis comic depicting Sonic having sex (and subsequently a Sonichu baby) with Pikachu, as a joke off a "[[Film/SonicTheHedgehog2020 Sonic]] Tops [[Film/PokemonDetectivePikachu Pikachu]]" headline, was deleted from Instagram due to sexual content. When he [[https://www.instagram.com/p/B8wiz24BsYr/ re-uploaded the comic]], he replaced the NSFW panel with [[GagCensor the screencap of the Instagram report]].