18

So I'm curious on what the community thinks about the latest hot question being edited

From

Have there ever been 25 or more stars on Wonder Woman's panties?

To

Have there ever been 25 or more stars on Wonder Woman's satin tights?

The edit really doesn't make sense. Wonder Woman has a skimpy outfit that has multiple parts that really don't have their own words, apart from their underwear counterparts (which is essentially what she wears). And the title is mirroring the language used in the reason for the question in the first place. But, most importantly, Wonder Woman doesn't wear tights. And in the limited places the character has not worn the traditional suit... there's no stars.

So... are panties too racy for SF? Do we revert it back? Or do we try another word?


Current title:

Have there ever been 25 or more stars on Wonder Woman's "panties"?

19
  • 10
    Those aren't panties. That's the lower half of a bodysuit
    – Valorum
    Commented Jun 9, 2017 at 1:30
  • 1
    We could call it a suit for that matter. But the current edit invalidates what appears to be the intent of the author. The question here is is the word itself inappropriate?
    – Machavity
    Commented Jun 9, 2017 at 1:34
  • 4
    Are you asking whether the word is inappropriate or whether the question has been edited inappropriately? As the comments have pointed out, the term "satin tights" is actually part of the established canon to describe her outfit...
    – Valorum
    Commented Jun 9, 2017 at 1:37
  • 2
    Is the word panties inappropriate? If it's not, the question has a legitimate reason to use that specific term. And I'm not sure the lyrics from a TV show theme count as canon (if you read the full lyrics, it's pretty clear they picked that term so they could rhyme with it).
    – Machavity
    Commented Jun 9, 2017 at 1:42
  • 7
    I think you either use the canonical term, or something a little more appropriate, because her bottoms just aren't panties, panties are a form of undergarment, and the OP was definitely not asking about WW's undergarments. As Valorum pointed out it's the bottom half of a body suit, or a tankini.
    – Edlothiad
    Commented Jun 9, 2017 at 1:43
  • 9
    @Valorum The question uses panties because the rap video uses panties. The edit implies the word is inappropriate. Nothing unclear about that. If you want to have a terminology discussion we can have one. But this isn't my terminology we're debating either (nor my preferences)
    – Machavity
    Commented Jun 9, 2017 at 2:40
  • 11
    @Machavity - The "intent" is for the OP to learn about the stars on the lower half of her outfit, not to use the word panties. The specific language used is largely irrelevant.
    – Valorum
    Commented Jun 9, 2017 at 6:54
  • 6
    @Valorum: I disagree. The question is clearly motivated by the lyrics in the ERB rap -- otherwise why 25 stars as the cutoff. It should use the same term as the source of motivation. Commented Jun 9, 2017 at 14:57
  • 3
    To weigh in on the term and not the debate of intent, no, the term panties shouldn't be too racy, although given our usual maturity level, any given question about them may be and should be evaluated on their own.
    – Radhil
    Commented Jun 9, 2017 at 14:58
  • 5
    I posted that question. I don't care either way. I find the discussion it has generated hilarious.
    – EMBLEM
    Commented Jun 9, 2017 at 18:11
  • 3
    She's essentially wearing an altered version of what ballerinas wear when they're practicing - the leotard-thingie without the tutu around it. So what is that kind of outfit called? Also, I have no idea what "ERB rap" is being referred to - I thought "I see Paris, I see France, I see Wonder Woman's underpants" (or however it goes) was a children's rhyme from way back.
    – Omegacron
    Commented Jun 9, 2017 at 18:31
  • 1
    The real-world term is "hot pants" or "short shorts".
    – user14111
    Commented Jun 10, 2017 at 1:46
  • 2
    Uh, guys? The bottom part of a bikini is also called panties. Like every single other word in every single language in the known universe, panties has more than one meaning.
    – Martha
    Commented Jun 13, 2017 at 6:22
  • 1
    @Omegacron A leotard without a tutu is called a leotard.
    – wizzwizz4
    Commented Jun 18, 2017 at 17:47
  • 2
    @Martha I've only ever heard "bikini bottom" for it. Commented Jun 20, 2017 at 17:44

1 Answer 1

36

It should use the original title containing the word "panties".

The question is clearly motivated by the lyrics in the ERB rap -- otherwise why use 25 stars as the cutoff. It should use the same term as the source of motivation.

As an alternate middleground, I might suggest the word could be placed in quotes.

Justifications of why the quotes are appropriate:

  1. It is a quote from the rap.
  2. There is a very good argument they are not actually panties.
  3. It acknowledges that the usage is potentially contentious.

RESOLVED

In accordance with the 12-0 vote as of this moment, I'm going to take the honour of editing the original question.

11
  • 6
    I like the suggestion of quotation marks. I think it would allow the title to use the relevant wording while also showing that it's being used in a technical way rather than being vulgar or immature. Commented Jun 9, 2017 at 15:57
  • Six upvotes, no downvotes in an hour. Commented Jun 9, 2017 at 16:12
  • @BiscuitBaker I actually think the quotes would make it seem more taboo Commented Jun 9, 2017 at 16:18
  • 10
    @DCOPTimDowd: Quotes are appropriate for three reasons: (1) it is a quote from the rap, (2) there is a very good argument they are not actually panties, (3) it acknowledges that the usage is potentially contentious. Commented Jun 9, 2017 at 16:24
  • @ThePopMachine I was speaking in general terms, since the question is whether 'panties' is a racy term for this site, rather than canonical. Normally when people see a word in quotes, it's implied that something about it is questionable. Commented Jun 9, 2017 at 16:32
  • @DCOPTimDowd - That's a separate question. You have to ask them one at a time.
    – Valorum
    Commented Jun 9, 2017 at 18:44
  • @Valorum Huh? I'm not sure what you mean. Commented Jun 9, 2017 at 19:02
  • @Valorum I'm not asking any questions. And you're first example is the one being asked by the OP, which is what I was addressing in my earlier comment. Commented Jun 9, 2017 at 19:12
  • 1
    @DCOPTimDowd - Sorry, I thought I was addressing the OP
    – Valorum
    Commented Jun 9, 2017 at 19:27
  • 1
    An alternative to quotes would be to add [sic] to the end.
    – JAB
    Commented Jun 9, 2017 at 22:07
  • 4
    In light of the 12-0 vote as of this moment, I'm going to take the honour of editing the original question. Commented Jun 9, 2017 at 23:24

You must log in to answer this question.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged .