grawlix

== English == === Etymology === A meaningless word coined by the American comic strip writer Mort Walker (1923–2018) in a humorous article entitled “Let’s Get Down to Grawlixes” published in The Cartoonist (1964), possibly influenced by growl. === Pronunciation === (Received Pronunciation) IPA(key): /ˈɡɹɔːlɪks/ (General American) IPA(key): /ˈɡɹɔlɪks/ (cot–caught merger) IPA(key): /ˈɡɹɑlɪks/ (General Australian, New Zealand) IPA(key): /ˈɡɹoːlɪks/ Rhymes: -ɔːlɪks Hyphenation: graw‧lix === Noun === grawlix (plural grawlixes or grawlix) (comics) A series of images or symbols used in speech bubbles in comic strips to indicate one or more swear words. An image resembling an illegible scribble used for this purpose. [from mid 1960s] A string of typographical symbols (such as "@#$%&!") used for this purpose. Synonym: obscenicon A series of violence-related images (such as bombs, daggers, and skulls) used for this purpose. ==== Coordinate terms ==== ==== Translations ==== === References === === Further reading === grawlix on Wikipedia.Wikipedia “grawlix”, in Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary, Springfield, Mass.: Merriam-Webster, 1996–present. “Why Do We Use Symbols to Censor Swearwords?”, in Dictionary.com‎[4], 8 February 2018, archived from the original on 29 November 2022.