Like every year, the Official Scrabble (ODS) unveils the list of new words and variants authorized, and those which are prohibited. For this 9th edition, fans of the word game will no longer have the right to use the words “hateful, disrespectful” and offensive.
You are a fan of Scrabble ? To avoid being frustrated by placing your 7 letters on the board and after spending long minutes of reflection, this list of new forbidden words might be useful to you. L’Officiel du Scrabble has just unveiled its 9th edition containing nearly 750 new words, nearly 400 variants (mainly feminine words) but also a list of forbidden words. Note that this new version will come into effect from January 1, 2024, particularly in the context of Scrabble competitions. SO, Which words previously misspelled, or deemed offensive, will no longer be tolerated in Scrabble?
64 words removed from the Scrabble dictionary
For spelling reasons, the words Anisaki and Stegosorus are no longer valid when playing Scrabble. Indeed, Anisakis is written with an S, while the correct form of the dinosaur is written Stegosaurus.
For ethical reasons, Mattel also decided to remove the words “having a hateful, disrespectful character human values and the new sensitivities of our world”.
List of words deemed “offensive” and not tolerated in Scrabble
- Asian(s)
- Boche(s)
- Chicano(s)
- Fucker, fucker(s)
- Female(s)
- Gogol, gogole(s)
- Goudou(s)
- Dyke(s)
- Lopez(s)
- Lopettte(s)
- Dwarf(s), dwarf(s)
- Negro(s), negress(es), nigger, nigger(s)
- Queer(s)
- Slut(s)
- Romano(s)
- Schleu, Schleue(s)
- Aids
- Tafiole(s)
- tantouse(s), tantouse(s)
- Tarlouze(s), tarlouze(s)
- Travelo(s)
“When playing Scrabble® – as in life – the words we choose are important. Words have the power to strengthen, encourage and honour, but they can also be used to weaken, discourage and disrespect.” tells us the Mattel brand, which called on an independent linguist to identify hateful words in order to review the official list of words authorized to be played during Scrabble competitions®.