The death yesterday of comedian George Carlin, 71, has brought many references to Carlin's 1972 performance in Milwaukee in which he did his "Seven Words You Can Never Say On Television" routine at Summerfest.

The charge was disorderly conduct, after a police officer who was watching the show with his family became so incensed by the words - no, we can't repeat them here - that he complained to a superior officer. Afterward, Carlin was arrested.

"I couldn't believe my ears," Police Officer Elmer Lenz told Journal Sentinel columnist Jim Stingl last year. "I couldn't see why nobody was doing anything about it."

Ultimately, Carlin was freed on $150 bail and, when the matter came to trial, Judge Raymond E. Gieringer dismissed the case, saying the language was indecent but cited free speech and the lack of any disturbance.

Indeed, the Summerfest crowd, it is said, rather enjoyed the performance - and so did those in the courtroom, when the routine from Carlin's "Class Clown" album was played.

A final footnote: When Carlin returned to perform in Milwaukee in 1973, he repeated the seven words again - and even added three more. (No, we can't print those either).

Carlin warned the audience: "These three haven't even been tested in Milwaukee courts."

George Carlin performing his now-famous seven words you can't say on TV at Summerfest on July 21, 1972.

Milwaukee Police officers lead Carlin off the Summerfest grounds after he was arrested for using the seven words he said could not be used on television.

Mug shots of Carlin after his arrest at Summerfest.