grawlix

Meanings

1. A series of images or symbols used in speech bubbles in comic strips to indicate one or more swear words.
2. An image resembling an illegible scribble used for this purpose.
3. A string of typographical symbols (such as "@#$%&!") used for this purpose.
4. A series of violence-related images (such as bombs, daggers, and skulls) used for this purpose.

Etymology

A meaningless word coined by the American comic strip writer Mort Walker (1923–2018) in a humorous article entitled “Let’s Get Down to Grawlixes” published in The Cartoonist (1964), possibly influenced by growl.

Translations