Are there words you can't say on the House floor?

As it turns out, officials say there is no list of “taboo words” carved in granite to govern floor proceedings, no modern parallel to the 1970s’ “Seven Words You Can Never Say on Television” monologue by comedian George Carlin.

But there is a tome called House Practice: A Guide to the Rules, Precedents and Procedures of the House, which lends at least a fuzzy level of direction to what is forbidden.

Listed among behavior that could lead to disciplinary action is “vulgarity or profanity in debate,” along with “outbursts following the expiration of time for debate” and critical references to fellow House members.

Yet that same section also cautions that the context of a debate must be considered, as well as the present-day meaning of language. “Thus the word ‘damn’ has been ruled out of order,” advises the guide, “whereas ‘damnable’ has been permitted.”