If you do not understand some of the words in a question, do you try to find out what they mean? or flag it as spam/offensive? Please look at this question and tell me why it was flagged as spam/offensive.

Obviously it was flagged because of the word 'faggot'. BUT you can protest the flagging. I answered a question when I was fairly new to AB; it got flagged as a 'duplicate' which it wasn't and the other question completely misinterrupted my answer. The writer of the question and I protested the 'duplicate' and the question was restored. I'd try that as 'faggot' in this use is not offensive!

It's probably because the word "faggot" is there. I assume you were referring to a cigarette? Maybe an American flagged you because here a "faggot" is a derogratory term for gays and lesbians.

Hmmm.....that's pretty weird. I don't see anything wrong with your question. Unless someone is not familar with certain terms you used and took it for something else. But that wouldn't make much sense either.

First I google the word, and if that doesn't do it I ask in my answer what it means. But this isn't a case of someone not knowing the word -- it's worse: a case of someone knowing one definition of the word and not taking the time to consider its context (i.e. your question), realizing the definition they know doesn't quite fit, and seeking out ulterior definitions. It's not ignorance (i.e. not knowing -- and to an extent, you can't fault someone for ignorance, because we only know what we're told/taught): it's intellectual laziness and empty reactionaryism. For everyone's sake I hope AB gets on the ball on this one.

I suggest two things. 1. You write an appeal to the staff from the feedback link under the flagged question giving reasons why the question is not offensive in any way. They will restore the question. 2. You could suggest a new category for 'British' under Ethnic Foods category. When Italian ethnic food finds a place there, your new category suggestion too will be accepted in all probability. . As to why the question was flagged I think someone took an exception to the words 'toad in the hole' in the question. You could explain in your appeal to the staff what it actually means to get your question restored. All the best.

There doesn't seem to be much in the way of investigation sometimes, if someone flags as offensive that's it. I answered a question a while ago which talked about fuddruckers, which sounds offensive to me, but I found out it is a restaurant chain in America, which took just a seconds worth of reading to find out instead of automatically flagging as offensive just because it sounds bad to my ears. Better not ask any questions about smoking fags or anything.

I always ask, if I am unsure, there is no reason that question should have been accepted by the moderators, they need to learn how to read. Go to feedback, and ask to have your question reinstated.

Lol :) You are so right! This should not be flagged as offensive, and if flagged, it should not be removed by AB! Some people just simply react on things, like a Pavlov reaction. They haven't got a clue what it means, but as soon as they think they hear a bell ringing, they start drewling immediately.

Could it be a troll that is following you because I have no other idea why that should be flagged. It really makes no sense to me. Could you try to submit it again?