[frodo_77]

Why is the asterisk (*) symbol often used in the middle of words these days? I didn't get the memo when this trend started.

[whatshisface]

The asterisk is often used to mince profane words, and I guess wh* te and bl* ck are profane now... Or at least that's what the parent comment is implying. (Personally I disagree.)

[klyrs]

People have been spelling brainfuck as brainf*ck, or similar, since at least 2001 (the earliest date my lazy-a$s search yielded)

[anewone]

It's just a censor.