6. The method of claim 1 , wherein each offensive word in the first plurality of offensive words is associated with a severity score identifying offensiveness of that word; wherein each offensive word in the second plurality of offensive words is associated with a severity score identifying offensiveness of that word; an offensive word appearing in both the first plurality of offensive words and the second plurality of offensive words has an adjusted severity score based on the offensive word's severity score within each of the first plurality of offensive words and the second plurality of offensive words; wherein detection of an offensive word from the string of words is based upon a greatest offensiveness scores of matching offensive words from within each plurality of offensive words; and wherein detection of an offensive word is based upon the greatest of the severity scores exceeding an offensiveness threshold value.
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein each offensive word in the first plurality of offensive words is associated with a severity score identifying offensiveness of that word; wherein each offensive word in the second plurality of offensive words is associated with a severity score identifying offensiveness of that word; an offensive word appearing in both the first plurality of offensive words and the second plurality of offensive words has an adjusted severity score based on the offensive word's severity score within each of the first plurality of offensive words and the second plurality of offensive words; wherein detection of an offensive word from the string of words is based upon a greatest offensiveness scores of matching offensive words from within each plurality of offensive words; and wherein detection of an offensive word is based upon the greatest of the severity scores exceeding an offensiveness threshold value. 11. The method of claim 6 , wherein the offensiveness threshold value is derived using a function that is computed using values provided by a user, a service administrator, a third party, a government institution having jurisdictional authority over a user, a non-governmental institution with which the user is associated, or any combination thereof.