Damus
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afreytes ๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ท
@afreytes ๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ท
Semi serious question, (please do not ask "AI") I can do web searches just fine so please answer from your own experience:

In English, you have "four letter words", these words have four letters but are perhaps not to be used in polite communication.

Are there any other "group of words constrained by arbitrary rules" in other languages?

Mind you, it doesn't have to be an offensive group of words, but more like a grouping outside the traditional language syntax.

#AskFedi
4
The Psychotic Network Ferret · 16w
nostr:nprofile1qy2hwumn8ghj7un9d3shjtnyd968gmewwp6kyqpqfaamn3h0axkv0t8jr9t5aqw743pe0flufgrl98k2rjlcvnlp2twst4d0yj I dunno how you'd group them, but plenty of terms have become emotionally loaded. Retarded/Retard Transvestite Transexual/Tranny Handicaped Just a few that came to mind.
Oblomov · 16w
nostr:nprofile1qy2hwumn8ghj7un9d3shjtnyd968gmewwp6kyqpqfaamn3h0axkv0t8jr9t5aqw743pe0flufgrl98k2rjlcvnlp2twst4d0yj I would assume most language have the concept of swearwords/curse words etc, but I assume that's not what you're asking about?
ManMachine · 16w
There is a similar construct in Russian also centred around profanity, but with a three-letter word, so the equivalent of "go to hell" becomes "go to three letters", and it's assumed everyone knows which three.
e. e. arroyo · 16w
nostr:nprofile1qy2hwumn8ghj7un9d3shjtnyd968gmewwp6kyqpqfaamn3h0axkv0t8jr9t5aqw743pe0flufgrl98k2rjlcvnlp2twst4d0yj i didn't know that's what "four letter words" means. I'm guessing i'm not the only one and that's why there's some confusion in your replies!