The concept of obscenity (etymologically meanining "[things] to be kept far from visibility" - from Latin obscenitas) has several connotations.
It is defined by the public domain 1913 US Webster's Unabridged Dictionary as:
Obscene: (adjective)
- Offensive to chastity or modesty; expressing of presenting to the mind or view something which delicacy, purity, and decency forbid to be exposed; impure; as, obscene language; obscene pictures.
- Foul; fifthy; disgusting.
- Inauspicious; ill-omened.
It can simply be used to mean profanity, or it can mean anything that is taboo, indecent or abhorrent.
The definition of obscenity differs from culture to culture, between communities within a single culture, as well as between individuals within those communities. Many cultures have produced laws to define what is considered to be obscene, and censorship is often used to try to suppress or control materials that are obscene under these definitions.
Pornography has often fallen within the definition of obscene materials under these laws.
Because the concept of obscenity is ill-defined, it is often used as a political tool to try to restrict freedom of expression. Thus, the definition of obscenity can be a civil liberties issue.
People whose works have been described as obscene, or prosecuted under obscenity laws:
- Charles-Pierre Baudelaire
- Lenny Bruce
- William Burroughs
- James Joyce
- D.H. Lawrence
- Henry Miller
- Marquis de Sade
See also: