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Microsoft Edits English

Posted by ryuzaki0 on from the thats-pretty-funny dept.

jbarr writes "An article in the 23-Oct-2000 issue of the New York Times (free reg blah blah blah) talks about how Microsoft has eliminated words from its thesaurus so as to "not suggest words that may have offensive uses or provide offensive definitions for any words". Entering a word like "idiot" yields no hits in Word 2000 unlike the numerous hits in Word 97." I don't think there's anything evil here, but it sure is funny.

13 of 656 comments (clear)

  1. Yes, but... by ralmeida · · Score: 2, Funny

    ...does it suggest "Windows" as and alternative to "Linux"?

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  2. So, now... by RLiegh · · Score: 2, Funny

    Micro$oft is not only in bed w/ the PC makers; but they're also making PC themselves....

  3. New Synonym Algorithm by ekrout · · Score: 3, Funny

    I believe that they have simply seeded the synonym algorithm for every "curse word" with a random value for the subscript of an array of every M$FT employee since the company's inception. Therefore, if you type in "f*ckhead", Steve Ballmer might be a suggested replacement. Similarly, "assh*le" is often times replaced by "William H. Gates" in the new Office XP. Just don't ask for a replacement for "naked clippy". ;-)

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  4. Paranioa? by Malorian · · Score: 4, Funny

    Greetings friend citizen, the computer is your friend. Why do you want to use such words? Are you unhappy? **BzzRRRRtttt**

  5. We're idiots by OblongPlatypus · · Score: 5, Funny

    From an unedited thesaurus:

    Idiot [noun]: ass, fool, imbecile, jackass, mooncalf, moron, nincompoop, ninny, nitwit, simple, simpleton, softhead, tomfool. Informal: dope, gander, goose. Slang: cretin, ding-dong, dip, goof, jerk, nerd, schmo, schmuck, turkey

    Slashdot: News for Idiots. Stuff that matters.

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  6. It's because of the licence agreement... by chris.bitmead · · Score: 3, Funny

    You're not allowed to use MS products to criticise Microsoft, and extensive market research determined that the most common use of these terms was in relation to Microsoft and Bill Gates.

  7. Great! by garoush · · Score: 3, Funny

    All those book authors who write books using MS Word 2000 are no longer able to write books titled: "XYZ for Dummies/idiots".

    For once, MS has done the right thing.

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  8. That's double plus ludicrous! by los+furtive · · Score: 3, Funny

    Is this their solution to bloatware? They sole purpose of a thesaurus is to enhance one's vocabulary not limit it. What's next on their agenda, making it impossible to change the desktop colours unless they are coordinated? Is something in the works with Martha Stewart?

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  9. Re:1984 Anyone? by bungalow · · Score: 5, Funny

    No big brother here. Move along...

    Thanks for your comforting words. However, you're an idiot.

    What's an idiot?

  10. and ...? by Mr_Silver · · Score: 5, Funny

    So what? Americans have been editing the English language for centuries now! :)

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  11. Editing English by bgarcia · · Score: 5, Funny
    Microsoft Edits English
    Just be glad that CmdrTaco doesn't have that sort of power.
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  12. double plus bad by Erris · · Score: 2, Funny
    M$ is Optimizing Standard English, goodSpeak. By simplifying the word choices available, all people will be able to utilize it equally well. Words like monopoly, and others based on the limiting mono stem are inherently limiting and negative. Samewise, anti-competitive should be replaced by competitive, plus. There are many other words that are negative and serve no good purpose that must be removed. In the end, you have duck speak which is good when it agrees with you and bad when it does not. The content never changes.

    This is all part of the effort to end the information anarchy. You see, when people know to much they don't always do what you want them too. For this reason, independent publications will have to stop so that we can be sure of what the truth is. All of these confilicting opinions are just too much for the average person to sort out.

    With M$ in control, everything will be easier and more fun.

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  13. Re:1984 Anyone? by lhand · · Score: 3, Funny

    Man, I haven't gotten any nugatory in so long...wait, let me look that up.......

    Never mind.