Comments on: Dirty Words in Popular Woodworking Magazine

By: Dominic Greco

Dominic Greco — Thu, 25 Mar 2010 18:33:03 +0000

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!

By: Rick Gayle

Rick Gayle — Sun, 21 Mar 2010 18:31:11 +0000

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

By: GMan

GMan — Sun, 21 Mar 2010 06:53:19 +0000

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.

By: John Sisler

John Sisler — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 17:15:05 +0000

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

By: Doug T.

Doug T. — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 14:11:01 +0000

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.

By: Eric Madsen

Eric Madsen — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 18:45:22 +0000

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

By: Jerry Olson

Jerry Olson — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 21:59:07 +0000

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.

By: bill

bill — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 20:10:13 +0000

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.

By: kerry doyle

kerry doyle — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 17:53:30 +0000

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.

By: Bill

Bill — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 16:54:30 +0000

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.