According to Harper's, it is on "a 'blacklist' file included with the latest edition of Crossword Compiler, a British computer program for designing various word puzzles. The file prevents blacklisted words from appearing randomly."
I can understand their wishing to avoid bonk, fanny, rogering, stiffy, wee-wee, shtup and a few others, but many of the words appear to be unnecessary inclusions - especially "pyroclastic." Perhaps it has a connotation that I'm unaware of.
Via Wordnik.
A dirty mind, such as mine, can easily find the naughty symbolism offered by the debris that shoots out from a volcano at eruption.
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