POLK COUNTY, Iowa (WHO) — An Iowa family is sharing one final joke with their late father, but not everyone is laughing.

Steven Paul Owens passed away in September 2021 at the age of 59 and was laid to rest at Warren-Powers Cemetery in rural Polk County. Controversy began when his family recently had a headstone installed on his grave.

One side lists his name, date of birth and death, and a family saying: “If you don’t listen, you’ll have to feel.”

The other side of the stone is where the controversy lies. Carved in the stone is the epitaph: “Forever in our hearts, until we meet again, cherished memories known as our son, brother, father, papa, uncle, friend & cousin”.


However, due to careful spacing of the type, the phrase “F— OFF” can be found by reading the first letter of each line vertically.

Owens’ family says its not a profanity – at least it wasn’t to their dad. “It was a term of endearment,” his daughter says. “If he said that to you, it meant he liked you. If he didn’t like you he didn’t talk to you.”

The family says Steve didn’t know about the inscription before his passing, but they’re sure he would be laughing about it now.

link: Has pics https://wgntv.com/news/hidden-...e-stirs-controversy/

Here lies Lester Moore
Killed by a .44
Four slugs
No less, no more

It may have been how the old goat talked to people.

But it is profanity, and there is no rational argument that it is not. They can't pretend to be surprised that people look askance at it.

Sounds a lot more subtle than Popcorn Sutton's:

That stone is pretty at least.

quote:

“Forever in our hearts, until we meet again, cherished memories known as our son, brother, father, papa, uncle, friend & cousin”.

Forever in our hearts,
until we meet again,
cherished memories
known as

our son, brother,
father, papa, uncle,
friend & cousin”.

B
F
D

There will always be people who find offensive stuff in everything.

^^^
yep.

My modest proposal about the word:
https://sigforum.com/eve/forum...935/m/3610040684/p/1

[When everyone says it, no one will be shocked by it any more.]

I tried to be offended, but I just can't.

Why give someone any power over how I feel?

Who gives a fuck? Like who has time to actually call someone to complain about this?
Fucking losers.

Guy’s dead, his family is dealing with is loss how they best can, and yet people have to have opinions about that. Sounds about right.

"controversy" means "we're not journalists. we just stir up shit in a desperate attempt to get views".

quote:

Originally posted by SIGnified:
Here lies Lester Moore
Killed by a .44
Four slugs
No less, no more

I thought it was

Here lies Lester Moore
Four slugs from a .44
No Les no more.
Here Lies Lester Moore, Four Slugs from a 44, No Les, No More - tombstone at Boot Hill (tombstone46xy) by mlhradio, on Flickr

Regarding the OP gravestone, it's in the family and others should just do what it says.

flashguy

quote:

Originally posted by flashguy:

quote:

Originally posted by SIGnified:
Here lies Lester Moore
Killed by a .44
Four slugs
No less, no more

I thought it was

Here lies Lester Moore
Four slugs from a .44
No Les no more.
Here Lies Lester Moore, Four Slugs from a 44, No Les, No More - tombstone at Boot Hill (tombstone46xy) by mlhradio, on Flickr

Regarding the OP gravestone, it's in the family and others should just do what it says.

flashguy

Sure… Sorry my memories getting foggy… Should have googled it for you, quoted and linked.

quote:

Originally posted by jhe888:
But it is profanity, and there is no rational argument that it is not.

Actually there is.

Sorry it comes from English being my second language and always trying to learn what words/phases mean...sort of like how "No Problem" being a more correct response to "Thank You" than "You're Welcome"

Profanity comes from the root word Profane, which is an act against religion: blasphemous or obscene language.

The "F" word would be either Vulgar or Obscene

quote:

Profanity comes from the root word Profane, which is an act against religion: blasphemous or obscene language.

The "F" word would be either Vulgar or Obscene

That's kind of a distinction without a difference.

quote:

Originally posted by egregore:

quote:

Profanity comes from the root word Profane, which is an act against religion: blasphemous or obscene language.

The "F" word would be either Vulgar or Obscene

That's kind of a distinction without a difference.

Not really...it's pretty simple: If you aren't invoking God or religion while cursing it isn't Profanity.

Folks like to use the word Profane or Profanity to either sound more intelligent/superior or as click bait; as it is being used in the article. I guess you could write off it's improper use to a lack of education (not intelligence) on the part of the writer...or just laziness

quote:

Originally posted by 9mmepiphany:

quote:

Originally posted by jhe888:
But it is profanity, and there is no rational argument that it is not.

Actually there is.

Sorry it comes from English being my second language and always trying to learn what words/phases mean...sort of like how "No Problem" being a more correct response to "Thank You" than "You're Welcome"

Profanity comes from the root word Profane, which is an act against religion: blasphemous or obscene language.

The "F" word would be either Vulgar or Obscene

But native English speakers use "profane" to mean both, even if profanity technically has a more narrow meaning. Plus, you are pettifogging.