Word: taboo
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Dates: during 1920-1929
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They are ruled by a king, who in his wisdom maintains a severe seclusion and the taboo that for a subject to see him more than once per annum is highly dangerous to the subject's welfare...
...Lowrie heartlessly destroys the long-cherished belief that Europe excels America in wide dissemination of culture, in unrestrained individualism, and in tolerance. Centuries of enforced hallelujahs to a reigning caste have broken down any respect for individual merit, he says, and goes on heretically: "There is no taboo among us, however silly, that cannot be matched by an equally senseless one characteristic of European castes." Lest the minions of enraged ship-owners should rush incontinently upon him, however, Mr. Lowrie hastens to add that he is not discouraging in the least the desire to see the beauties of Europe...
...censorship of the police. Smoking has been prohibited in Mecca, the Holy City of the Moslems. In Russia the soviet commissar of health has issued an edict against kissing. Not only is the usual form of this indoor sport forbidden, the kissing of ladies' hands by men is also taboo. The practice is doubly accursed, being both unhygienic and bourgeois. Handshaking, too, has been prohibited in many departments...
...maximum of intellectual freedom. The undergraduate is well-poised: he will not be unbalanced by reading about a few doubtful subjects always in common talk. And openness of approach to written knowledge of esoteric subjects will go far to dissipate the halo of naughtiness which clings about the prurient taboo...
Totem and Taboo...