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Reader Herb Wofford writes: With the downturn in the economy and prices going up I have been considering which woodworking magazine(s) I will have to for go. Until the latest issue, Popular Woodworking Magazine was not being considered, but now I will not renew my subscription.
Personally, I take offense to language that I consider inappropriate. And your editorial stating that you will do your %$##est and then to see in big bold letters the inappropriate use of the word for donkey made up my mind, along with the content and future content of the magazine.
I by no means have virgin ears. I spent four years in the military and worked around men and women who could use some of the foulest language, but I never thought it would show up in a magazine that I looked forward to receiving. I realize you were quoting someone in the back article, but did the word have to be so bold? I let my 12 year old grandson read these, and yes I am sure he hears these words at school. But you see, I am trying to set an example for him; you can communicate intelligently without using profanity.
I am 63 years old and my father is 87. To this day, I have never heard him say one cuss word, and he spent 21 years in the Army. He had enough respect for my mother that he would not allow her to come into where he worked for the foul language. And I might add, my children and my grandchildren have never heard me cuss; I do not.
My time with your magazine has been wonderful and rewarding. I will miss the excellent articles of making furniture. Should you in the future decide to go back to the original format and leave out offensive words, let me know for I will renew my subscription.
– Herb Wofford
Editor Christopher Schwarz responds: Sorry you felt that way. In the 13 years I’ve been here, that has been the one time we’ve used that word in print. (“End Grain,” April 2010, “Put Yer Ass Into It” by Roy Underhill.) I thought it was justified, germane and fairly mild compared to the language on television (not to mention the Internet).
We’re not changing our policy on language – that is, you won’t see it become a habit. But when presented with a story like the one Roy Underhill wrote, I thought it was appropriate.
Thank you for your letter.
– Christopher Schwarz
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I said it before and I’ll say it again. I though the article was hilarious and would love to see more of this kind of INNOCENT humor.
Please keep up the good work!
Surely those who disagree with Mr. Wofford can do so without mocking him or by denigrating him with the word to which he objects. He is allowed his opinion and his decision to not renew; everyone else is allowed theirs, likewise. When you attack the person, you have run out of valid arguments.
Rick Gayle
Really, is all this discussion necessary. It’s a word and holds no more meaning than one is willimg to give it. Words can only be offensive if you let them.
WTF?Wofford is far too liberal in his understanding, and far too generous in his taking you to task for corrupting the youth of our nation. I am packing up my several years worth of back issues of both Popular Woodworking and Woodworking magazines, the books,my copies of the special issues, my copy of The Jointer and Cabinetmaker, my Lost Art Press tee-shirt, all of the tools that I purchased after finding out about their worth from any and all of your publications,project plans, and the work bench I built (a combination of the English bench and the Rubio) that I dearly loved until this issue came up- I’m packing all this up and shipping it to you freight collect and expect a full and complete refund and reimbursement.
Now we’re even for the epoxy and plane joke- don’t change a damned thing.
JM Sisler
While I do not consider myself a "prude", I do yearn for the decorum of the time of my youth. It seems that all the barriers that use to establish boundaries in times gone by, are now mostly removed. I think the question should always be asked "will this verbiage enhance or in any way make the article better?" Therein lies the answer, IMHO.
As someone who is a subscriber to PW and has spent money on Christopher Schwartz’s books, he seems to have become quite intransigent on this matter and the complaint about the erroneous dimensions on the recent piece in the magazine – somewhat disappointing.
DT
Popular Woodworking and it’s editors/writers have personality and a genuineness that comes across in the writing. I used to read all the magazines, but anymore the others just bore me.
According the the interwebs Roy Underhill is 59 years of age, but he never seems to age. Perhaps his sense of humor keeps him young or maybe it’s clean liv’n, but what ever the reason I thoroughly enjoy his youthful enthusiasm and passion for woodworking! I’ve long been a fan of his show, and I look forward to reading more of his contributions in your magazine. I would thank him for all he’s done to preserve and introduce woodworking to younger generations through his books, PBS show, and now his school. The fact that you’ve secured him as a contributor only affirms to me your quality editorial instincts and tastes.
-ERIC
I’m of Herbs generation and for the life of me I cannot understand how he could be offended. Watching any TV program these days brings up much more course language not to mention the Movies ("Inglogious Bastards").
I throughly enjoy reading your blogs, articles, books, DVD’s etc. Keep up the good work.
I think Mr. Wofford has a standard of decency that was a fairly common cultural norm in ages past. I too have wondered to what degree a woodworking magazine should be mimicking the culture, which (at least for anyone with grandparents or some historical sense) is sinking pretty low.
And I must admit that sometimes, except for the occasional innuendo that creeps into his writing, Chris does sound a bit like my 15 year old son. I guess it’s an attempt to appeal to that generation that motivates the off-color stuff in his writing. That said, I think it dumbs down the magazine and the blog and serves no useful purpose.
Mr. Wofford’s comment is a reflection on a lack of sense of humor as well as a rigid dogma regarding the definition of profanity. In this instance, ‘ass’ is used in a coloquial or vernacular manner, not as a profanity or epithet. Ass in this context symbolizes more than just a vulgar word for bottom; it symbolizes one’s bottom plus as much extra muscle as one can muster, much as a (donkey) would when urged to pull.
You’d better watch out talking about ‘butt’ joints or any other number of words with possible offensive meanings.
I think my subscription expires in August or September, but I might just go ahead and renew early.
I haven’t read the whole issue yet, but I did read Roy’s story and found it very amusing. The lack of editing was very refreshing in a time when political correctness has taken away our 1st Amendment rights in some circles. I think we as a society need to grow up, get thicker skins, and remember that they’re just words…they don’t hurt.
BTW, the other articles I’ve read are the ones on Thomas Day and Clark & Williams were excellent. Keep up the good work.
Just out of idle curiosity…. Did you ask Mr. Wofford before you posted his letter and your reply? And is there any general guideline as to whether you handle such things in the blog or in print? (I’m assuming you also sent a email response, of course.)
I’m not trying to provoke anything – I really am simply curious.
Thanks for everything you print, write, post, blog, engrave, record, publish, and sell. Our lives are enriched by the vast amount of content you folks generate, sell, and give away.
Herb’s opinion brings back a memory. I lived in NH in the mid-80s and decided to make a ‘journey’. I found myself in Trinidad, Colo in need of gas and pulled into a small station on the outskirts. The attendant kept looking at the back of my car while filling’er up. He got done and I handed him a $10 (those were the days). He looked back one more time and said "Live Free or Die, huh?" referring to my license plate. "Kinda severe ain’t it?"
Herb, canceling a subscription to an exceptionally informative and well written publication that has obviously brought you some pleasure in the past because they published what can only be described as a ‘mild’ expletive really is ‘kinda severe ain’t it."
Kudos for your vigilance of the young. My guess is that you far exceed the norm of good ‘grand-parenting’. But I cannot believe it was the intent (or, even an unitended consequence) of PWM to derail the youngsters among us. You made it through the service and your grandkids will make through life despite the occasional ‘cuss’ word.
I hope you can sit back and again enjoy PWM some time soon. It would be a real shame to miss it.
I certainly appreciate Mr. Wofford’s concern, though I wouldn’t consider cancelling my subscription unless the content declined in quality or the writing style degenerated into bar room banter. I enjoy a fine ale, and occasionally lose my composure and let fly. But in my working years I considered swearing unprofessional and an impediment to communications. When I read PW I see and hear you at work. My grandkids are safe in the shop and safe with your magazine. Best wishes, Bob
Stick to your guns, Chris. Between the use of "for go" and the affected, pretentious attitude of Mr. Wofford, I think we all now have an excellent example of what an ass is.
It has been said, "All things are permissible, but not all things are beneficial." I interpret that to mean with great freedom there is great choice, but not all choices are helpful. I’m with Wofford on this, mostly. I would have rather not seen an "ass" reference on the cover. My first thought was of slight disappointment in a cheap eye-catcher headline, rather than letting real content drive the reader. My local library actually hardbounds every issue of Popular Woodworking with the color cover showing, and puts them in the stacks for the world to see. Sure, they’re not next to the childrens books, but is this the trajectory we want to take? Permissible? Sure, but not that beneficial for PW and its readers.
Appropriate. Keep it up.
Writing in support of the publication of Roy’s words. I did take notice when I saw it on the cover, and maybe that wasn’t the greatest decision even if I think it’s harmless. Actually, they weren’t even Roy’s words, but an old WWII vet. More stories and articles by St. Roy, please. Next time maybe the hoop snake story?
I have to ad my name in the support of Roy Underhill’s story and the magazine. Roy’s story was certainly, in my opinion, the best part of the issue. No offense to the other great editors and authors but Roy’s story was funny and touching.
I can’t believe anyone would be offended by the use of the word ass in the context it was used.
More stories from Roy, please!
Mr. Wofford’s letter had me laughing my ass off! Perhaps I’ve been living on the ultra-liberal left coast for too long because I didn’t know that level of prudishness still existed. Good for Herb for sticking to his principles, even if most wouldn’t agree with him. And even better for you for not caving to the lowest common denominator.
Anyone who claims to be a woodworker and has NEVER used profanity is talking out of their posterior.
Wow. Cancelling a subscription over the slang term for gluteus maximus? Sounds like someone was looking for a reason to cancel a subscription — or get their name in print for their 15 minutes of fame.
Seriously, that’s the best reason to come up with? The last article at the tail-end (ass-end?) of a magazine?
I found it to be a moment of levity in an increasingly serious world. I’m surprised the catfight at WIA didn’t do it for him last year.
Megan and Chris: if you don’t let the occasional vulgar word or euphemism get in your pages, I’m canceling my subscription. Or, at least I’ll only renew one year at a time rather than my usual two year renewal.
sheesh
Oh H___fire and tarnation! By G_d, the real word is "arse", not a__ which is in The Good Book so many times as a reference to that lowly, much-abused beast of burden we have all become slaving away for The Man! :-j
Herb Wofford said "virgin"! I’m offended. I’ll never read another word he writes.
Chris,
Please keep printing appropriate words and stories. Don’t let one (or even a few) prudish readers ruin it for the rest of us!
Is this really that big of an issue? I mean, we have bigger issue at hand. And Chris this effects you BIG TIME!!! Of course I had to go and buy your hand plane book, and next thing you know it, I have to go out and buy a block plane, well life was so good with that tool that I took the next step and had to buy a low angeled smoothing plane, when I got home from LV on Saturday, I was asked how much I spent, becuase I had to buy some scrapers and a burnisher as well, and a new wheel marking gauge, my answer was of course "All of it." So I got "Schwarzed", so what! Chris, your ass is in danager, she did not just join Wives Against Schwarz, she opened a NEW chapter!
And just so you know, Im not allowed to have a throwing axe area either. Something about small children running around? I even told her they would be wearing safety glasses too!!!
I respect Mr. Wofford’s opinion, although I don’t really agree with it. I think that, in the present context, the use of "ass" was entirely appropriate and non-offensive.
On a related note… Where does one draw the line? If "ass" as used in the article is offensive, where on the spectrum does "craptacular" lie?
I understand the point about the article being funny but still, I agree with the first reader that the word was uncalled for and I was offended by it!
I will continue to read your magazine, but I hope you will be more caefull of language and also of enuendoe in the future.
Robert
I have to ask,"Is this another one of your jokes?" I know how you have a warped sense of humor. I find it hard to believe that anyone could object to that. It’s absolutely ludicrous to think that the word ass is offensive to anyone.I do try hard not to cuss because a lot of cussing makes people sound ignorant. In my opinion the author of that letter is the ignorant one. Sorry if I offend but c’mon ASS? Jokes on me right?
Chris,
As counterpoint to the comment you published above: I understood Roy’s column as a funny story, largely BECAUSE of the visitor’s terminology. It certainly would not have worked without it.
And perhaps it is the difference in generations, but I read this column out loud to my family: both of my daughters (6 & 12) were rolling with laughter. It certainly has not seemed to hurt them in the weeks since, nor has it led to a wanton use of profanity. And theY both spent some minutes afterward contemplating the picture of the big wheel that was the centerpiece of the story.
Thanks to your magazine and to Roy for what for me is a memorable family moment (in spite of, and in part BECAUSE of the use of "that word").