That’s how swearing was shown in the “old days.” Now it’s all out there—media (although the news and TV bleep words out), movies, music, and worse, people in public, where it’s an assault on the ears (you know the word I mean).
In the original run of Sgt. Fury and His Howling Commandoes, Stan Lee and Jack Kirby used to represent the (presumed) obscenities that Fury sometimes unleashed on his platoon with substitute expressions like “chicken-scratchin’.” And in my youthful ignorance, I imagined that those really were the sorts of epithet a furious sergeant would unleash on his wayward soldiers.
yoey1957 11 months ago
Bullying. It’s called bullying.
markkahler52 11 months ago
Bullying + Swearing. They’re called “grawlix.”
my3dogsons 11 months ago
That’s how swearing was shown in the “old days.” Now it’s all out there—media (although the news and TV bleep words out), movies, music, and worse, people in public, where it’s an assault on the ears (you know the word I mean).
Catfeet Premium Member 11 months ago
I’m sure Beetle got the message!
Pet 11 months ago
It is so sweet how innocent Red is that he doesn’t even know that they are swear words! Ah, it truly was a simpler, sweeter time..
Calvinist1966 11 months ago
So Red is recovered. The story arc didn’t fill the week after all.
Shikamoo Premium Member 11 months ago
Don’t grow up too fast, Red. Keep your innocence.
Live Rover’s expression in the last panel.
royq27 11 months ago
What the #!#**
sarahbowl1 Premium Member 11 months ago
Beetle Bailey was the first comic I remember reading as a child! Wish GoComics had it!
Ermine Notyours 11 months ago
Curses! Foiled again!
stamps 11 months ago
I’ll get out my secret decoder ring.
Jefano Premium Member 11 months ago
In the original run of Sgt. Fury and His Howling Commandoes, Stan Lee and Jack Kirby used to represent the (presumed) obscenities that Fury sometimes unleashed on his platoon with substitute expressions like “chicken-scratchin’.” And in my youthful ignorance, I imagined that those really were the sorts of epithet a furious sergeant would unleash on his wayward soldiers.
Stephen Gilberg 11 months ago
Sure enough, BB was the first place I ever saw grawlixes.
fred_dot_u Premium Member 11 months ago
The text balloon would be filled with a grawlix.
bwswolf 11 months ago
Right ….. Red ….. it’s a secret code for Beetle …….. Rover, just likes you to read to him ……. :)
eddi-TBH 11 months ago
Mort Walker invented the term “Grawlix” for those.