American Heritage Dictionary

From Censorpedia

Date: 1978 1987

Region: North America

Subject: Language

Medium: Literature, Textbook


Artist: American Heritage Dictionary

Confronting Bodies: Missouri Library and Anchorage School Board

Dates of Action: 1978 and 1987

Location: United States of America

Description of Artwork: The two reference books are complete dictionaries of the English language.

The Incident: In 1978, an Eldon, Missouri library banned the dictionary because it contained 39 "objectionable" words. And, in 1987, the Anchorage School Board banned the dictionary for similar reasons, i.e., having slang definitions for words such as "bed," "knocker," and "balls."

Results of Incident: Unknown

Source: Long Island Coalition Against Censorship, "Censorship in Schools and Libraries" exhibit