Just as the Supreme Court dodged defining obscenity, we'll avoid trying to specify words that are inappropriate for the pages of The World. There are too many gray areas, too many exceptions.

Overall, though, we want readers to consider The World polite company. This means we do not frivolously print words we'd refrain from using when addressing a room full of fifth-graders.

Some stories, however, may require that we contemplate using potentially offensive language. Two rules will apply:

1. Talk to an editor. Reporters should never put a questionable word in a story without notifying the desk. Editors should never make a tough call in isolation.

2. It's a cliché, but - When in doubt, leave it out. Readers expect and deserve newspapers (or at least this one) to stand against increasing coarseness in society, and in media particularly. Let's take that role seriously.

This does not mean we flinch from telling the truth when the story demands it. For example, we might be bound journalistically to print a foul four-letter word it came from the lips of a presidential candidate during a televised debate.

But it would be difficult to make a case for including the same word in a quote from a football coach during a post-game tirade.

In general, though, we avoid not only obviously obscene language but coarse language, including racial epithets.

Prime-time TV seems to have no restrictions on such words as "ass," "butt," "crap," "suck" and "pissed." We will find few occasions that merit using such words in The World.

In a case where disclosure of an offensive word is crucial to a story but the story itself is not earth-shakingly important, we might consider using initials and hyphens: "It didn't take Rage Against the Machine long to make a statement. Seconds after taking the stage at The Gorge Amphitheater Friday night, the group broke into the screaming lyrics of 'F--- the Police'..."

Such instances should be rare indeed. Also rare should be our use of such cute devices as "expletive deleted" or "bleeping."

There's no reason to even consider using crude, obscene or profane language outside of quoted matter. When we're the ones choosing the words, they should be impeccably, inarguably prim.

In mundane quotes flawed by profanities, simply paraphrase. If the quote's a gem and the profanity incidental, consider ellipses -- but only great quotes may justify inflicting the reader with those frustratingly enigmatic three dots.