Obscenity

Obscenity has several connotations. Obscenity and its parent adjective obscene take their derivation from the Greek terms ob skene, which literally means "offstage". This is because violent acts in Greek theatre were committed off stage. It then descends into the Latin word obscenus, meaning "foul, repulsive, detestable", (possibly derived from ob caenum), literally "from filth". The term is most often used in a legal context to describe expression (words, images, actions) that offend the prevalent sexual morality of the time.

British obscenity law

Obscenity law in England and Wales is currently governed by the Obscene Publications Act, but obscenity law goes back much further into the English common law.

Related Topics:
Obscene Publications Act - Common law

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The conviction in 1727 of Edmund Curll for the publication of Venus in the Cloister or the Nun in her Smock under the common law offence of disturbing the peace appears to be the first conviction for obscenity in the United Kingdom, and set a legal precedent for other convictions.

Related Topics:
Edmund Curll - Venus in the Cloister or the Nun in her Smock - Disturbing the peace - Legal precedent

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These common law ideas of obscenity formed the original basis of obscenity law in other common law countries, such as the United States.

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