Expurgator

/ɪkˈspɜːɡeɪtər/ noun

Definition

A person who removes offensive or objectionable content from a text or publication.

Etymology

From Late Latin expurgator, the agent noun form of expurgare. First appeared in English in the 16th century to denote individuals appointed to cleanse texts according to religious or moral standards.

Kelly Says

Expurgators were like medieval editors with moral authority—they decided what was 'too spicy' for readers and got paid to rewrite entire passages. Some became quite powerful, essentially controlling what ideas people could access.

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