Self-censorship
Everybody swears. In the right circumstances, a deliberately spat curse can speak a thousand words and convey a myriad of emotions. In other situations, it's just inappropriate. But the line seems to blur when it comes to the written word.

If you want to write "fuck". Write "fuck". If you don't want to write "fuck" you don't have to. If you want to write "fuck" but don't want to offend anyone please for the love of all that is good and holy don't write "f*ck" or variations around that theme; you are just insulting me. If causing offense is your issue just don't swear. I will not respect you for self-censorship. Say it loud and proud and with the force of your convictions or don't say it at all.

The same goes for shit, cunt, twat, ass, arse, bugger, and the rest of Rogers Profanisaurus.

Firefox's spellchecker is telling me that "arse" is spelled incorrectly, although shit, cunt, twat and fuck are all okay in its book.
(Rilux might be pregnant and has bum-aids, Fri 9 Apr 2010, 0:23, 8 replies)

what about wank biscuit?

( Smash Monkey lowering the tone of the whole internet, Fri 9 Apr 2010, 0:27, closed)

Or Dutch rudder?
Or Dirty Sanchez?
Or Cleveland Steamer?
Or Hot Carl?
Or Angry Pirate?
( Wanderer, Fri 9 Apr 2010, 0:30, closed)

How did you guess?
That's what I had for dinner!
(Rilux might be pregnant and has bum-aids, Fri 9 Apr 2010, 0:32, closed)

always a popular choice

( Smash Monkey lowering the tone of the whole internet, Fri 9 Apr 2010, 0:35, closed)

Grr
My friend makes me say "earmuffs" when we are around her kids. Grr, earmuffs!
(TDub Nunc id vides, nunc ne vides on, Fri 9 Apr 2010, 4:53, closed)

I'm not self-censoring...
I'm avoiding words that set off our interweb monitor. Swearing in emails gets me busted here. Although obviously I can say fuck as much as I like in a forum such as this. Fuck. Fuck.
( difficultchild, Fri 9 Apr 2010, 6:11, closed)

You're being practical. That's not what I hate
It's deliberately substituting characters for letters in swear words as if to disguise them. I don't think I was clear enough in my OP. I blame the wine.

It's using words like tw@t, f*ck, sh!t, etc. instead of their full sweary equivilents. If you find yourself doing that maybe you should reconsider your need to swear in the first place.
(Rilux might be pregnant and has bum-aids, Fri 9 Apr 2010, 7:21, closed)

If you're quoting someone though and wouldn't use those words yourself (or are hoping to give the impression you wouldn't)
then the asterisks are appropriate.

You'd tell your mate 'He threatened to smash my fucking face in!' whereas in the written complaint you'd put 'He then said 'I will smash your f*cking face in.'
(Juan Quar is clinging to her front teeth on, Fri 9 Apr 2010, 8:51, closed)