Quote 62 of 497

In 1833 Noah Webster actually undertook to bowdlerize the Bible.  His
version substituted _breast_ for _teat_, _in embryo_ for _in the
belly_, _peculiar members_ for _stones_ (Leviticus XXI, 20), _smell_
for _stink_, _to nurse_ or _to nourish_ for _to give suck_, _lewdness_
for _fornication_, _lewd woman_ or _prostitute_ for _whore_, _to go
astray_ for _to go a-whoring_ and _impurities_, _idolatries_ and
_carnal connection_ for _whoredom_.  He go rid of _womb_ by various
circumlocutions, and expunged many verses altogether, as beyond the
reach of effective bowdlerization.
		-- H.L. Mencken, _The American Language_, "American
		   and English"

Tags: bible breast nurse prostitute whore embryo womb stink impurities teat americanlanguage lewdness whoredom hlmencken noahwebster