Editing Fighting words (section)

===Offensive language that is considered criminal in Australia===
A number of criminal laws in Australia prohibit the use of offensive, obscene, abusive, insulting or indecent language in a public place.<ref>{{cite journal|url=http://search.informit.com.au/documentSummary;dn=162515219539617;res=IELHSS |title='Weeds of our own making': Language ideologies, swearing and the criminal law |last=Methven |first=Elyse |date=2016|volume=34|issue=2|journal=Law in Context|pages=117–130 [117]|ssrn=2996921}}</ref> One such example is section 4A of the ''Summary Offences Act'' 1988 (NSW), which prohibits the use of offensive language in, near or within hearing from a public place or school.<ref>''Summary Offences Act'' 1988 (NSW) {{cite web|url=https://www.legislation.nsw.gov.au/#/view/act/1988/25/part2/div1/sec4a|title=s4A Offenscive language |website=NSW Legislation}}</ref> The penalty for using offensive, indecent or obscene language in Australia ranges from a small fine (for example, $660 in NSW) to up to 6 months imprisonment.

Police in a number of Australian states and territories also have the power to issue on-the-spot fines (infringement notices) for offensive language.<ref>{{cite journal|url=http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/journals/UTSLRS/2014/13.html |last=Methven |first=Elyse |title='A Very Expensive Lesson': Counting the Costs of Penalty Notices for Anti-social Behaviour|journal=University of Technology Sydney Law Research Series |year=2014 }} (2014) 26(2) Current Issues in Criminal Justice 249. Retrieved 30 June 2017.</ref> Police commonly use these offences to target four-letter words (such as ''[[cunt]]'', or ''[[fuck]]'', and their derivatives) uttered towards them, or in their presence.<ref>{{cite journal|url=http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/journals/UTSLRS/2012/10.html |last=Methven |first=Elyse |title=Dirty words? Challenging the assumptions that underpin offensive language crimes|journal=University of Technology Sydney Law Research Series |year=2012 }} [2012] University of Technology Sydney Law Research Series 10. Retrieved 30 June 2017.</ref>