“THE DOUBLE B”
HELD TO BE INDECENT LANGUAGE
"The language used in this case, Your Worship, is generally known as the ‘double, B’ tvpe, and a large majority of people do not consider it to be indecent at all—l mean they do not consider the first ’B’ of the ‘double B’ to be so. As a matter of fact, George Bernard Shaw, Michael Arlen, Eugene O’Neill, and many other leading writers of the present day use it frequently in their novels and books. Here in Wellington at the present time we also have a play where the first B of the ‘double B’ is used, so I suggest it cannot be a very indecent adjective, otherwise it would be banned under the Act,” said Mr. B. J. Dolan in the Magistrate’s Court yesterday, when asking for leniency on behalf of Edward Joseph Burgin, (aged 59), who appeared on charges of behaving in a thteaten. ing manner in Courtenay Place, using indecent language, and resisting Constable Sutherland in the execution of his duty. -. „ „ , The Magistrate' (Mr. J. TT. Salmon. SM ) in fining accused £l. on the first charge, and £2 on each of the remaininc* cliorgcs, stated that the first* B could not be regarded as . very serious or indecent. The word, in bis opinion, was much more offensive than it was obscene.
Permanent link to this item
https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/DOM19261026.2.46
Bibliographic details
Dominion, Volume 20, Issue 26, 26 October 1926, Page 8
Word Count
222“THE DOUBLE B” Dominion, Volume 20, Issue 26, 26 October 1926, Page 8
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