Why..............

[MWB]

are are swear words offensive & are asterisked out, yet you can type the shortened version, ffs, etc.

It's all the same. We all know it's still swearing.

Are people alright with only seeing the shortened version but appalled with the word when they see it written in it's entireity?

Weird.

[tubachub]

not bovvered if it abbreviated or normal it takes a lot to offend me.

[Ice.Maiden]

Think it's just done to spare the blushes of those who take offence, and because youngsters sometimes come onto AB. Everyone knows what the abbreviations stand for, but it's less offensive to some, than seeing the words in their entirety.
Plus - it'd be impossible to star out every abbreviation, since new ones could easily be made up.

[noway]

love sware words.keep them coming

[FarKenOath]

Because no c�nt wants to see some f�cking ar�ehole swearing his b�ll�cks off in a sođđing post. Thats why!!!

[FarKenOath]

Oops....I hope nobody takes offence at my last post.