When and how did the term "explicit" come to mean profanity?

Question

The word explicit means, exact. When, how and why did we start using it to mean profanity?

Answer 1

You are correct, it does in fact mean 'exact' or 'precise'.

In reference to music lyrics, you may have noticed that there are certain words, phrases, and content matter than have been ruled as potentially offensive, or for mature audiences. Because these regulations are drawn up very clearly (explicitly, or exactly) to record distributors, they encompass what is called "explicit content". "Explicit content" refers to these exact, clear-cut lyrical guidelines - which constitute a required warning to potential consumers if the music violates them.

'Explicit' does not specifically mean the lyrics are bad or good - it simply refers to the list of exact content matter that requires a warning.

Hope this answers the question for ya, mate :)

Answer 2

Explicit can mean:

very specific, clear, or detailed
containing material (e.g. language or film footage) that might be deemed offensive or graphic, e.g. sexually explicit material. In 1968 films began being rated, and the "R" rating was used for films with explicit language and images. The use of the word in this context seems to have begun here.