Thing that does my head in, is that “coloured person” is considered highly offensive, but “person of colour” is the height of progressive etiquette. It’s the same two words and swapping the order changes nothing!
if you grew up in the 1960s coloured was the polite thing to call people black was very offensive .I referred to someone as a black man when I was 4 or 5 and my mother told me off this was in the 1960s she said you cant call someone black they are coloured they don't like the word black . then it totally changed in the late 1960 -1970s
Back in the ancient days of 8th grade in 1994, the kids in class would call each other retarded. The teacher said that we shouldn't use that word, and that it was replaced with mentally handicapped. So we started calling each other mentally handicapped instead
We had a similar reaction to the Nazi camps shown in class. We called each other jew babies in some dark humorous way. Probably to block out the horror. Class of 1989
I would strongly recommend to stick to words that have a stronger connection to "stupid" than to mental disabilities and neurodivergence. Words like "retard" can be used cause it's easier to interpret as stupid, but saying something is "autistic" for a synonym of stupid is, TBH, an awful idea, cause we autistic people don't want to be referred to or be seen as stupid.
@@kalistaredacted2808 When it comes to calling things or people autistic, it's not typically in the same context as stupid or retarded, more like hyper focused and in too deep. Like back when I used to play eve-online, we were all autistic and referred to each other as such, because you kind of have to be to play that game. And it's fair enough because we all pretty much were. Besides, personally I think a little autism is a super-power anyway, works for me anyway.
@TriggeredOpinion You do you then. Black people can say the n word, you can use autism as an insult. Though I would like to highly urge you all against this. I just hope you don't run into a situation where you offend a group of autistic homies cause you use "autism" as a synonym for stupid.
My daughter is disabled. She's a delightful human full of joy and free of ego. She is not offended by outdated terminology and I'm not going to be offended on her behalf. When people use the word 'retarded' to describe her, I assume the best intention on their part. In 13 years, almost every person who meets her puts their best self forward, being kind and helpful. When I meet the unfortunate few who can't access that kindness, I assume their disability is far worse than can be seen on the surface. We have no victims in our house.
@Blue Too I understand but it doesn't soften the blow completely when it's been in the early teen lexicon for around 40 years as a potent insult. All these types of terms end up cyclical. Give it 20 years and 'retarded' will be the politically correct term again officially
Use her voice,😊 a disabled person, I can’t really say the Neurotypical people and please don’t call me that because sometimes it can actually be very hard to say that so please do not describe your daughter as there is somebody that does that she might not be
Got me thinking, the word "nerd" used to be a form of insult 10+ years ago, now its considered when youre passionate about something. I remember back in elementary and middle school, many people were insulting me for playing video games and calling me a nerd constantly. After video games becoming mainstream, the word stopped becoming an offensive insult shortly after.
@@seabreeze4559 As an american, I find this equally hilarious and dodgy that americans actually do it. Like... uh... Who do you think we learned this from?
Entire wars were fought (still are) because people in the past that believe in the same god found it offensive that people worshiped that exact same god differently. people have always been cry babies it’s just now they’re crying about different things
you can say it, just not on social media bc it gets you banned (source: i was perma-banned on twitter the first time i said it). because of this, for people permanently online it looks like no-one is saying it, but in real life that's just not true
I think the word “retard” is seen to be more offensive than the other words mentioned because those other words fell out of common usage in a medical diagnosis sense longer ago. Nobody has been diagnosed as an imbecile or moron in most people’s living memory while “retarded” was still commonly applied as a descriptor up until about 30 years ago when it began to be superseded by more nuanced and specific diagnoses
Yeah there’s definitely a cultural context to the “offensiveness” of words, give it 100 years and the use of the word ‘retard’ probably won’t be a problem. In NZ we use all sorts of words that are offensive in other countries as terms of endearment, here you can be a ‘good cunt’ while in America there’s the “h-word” (hell)
Exactly right. WTF is he going on about that some unknown intellectual illuminati made the decision one day and proclaimed the word offensive?! For someone that did a lot of thinking on the subject I'm amazed he didn't figure that out.
Youre missing the point. The point is why is a word that is associated with reduced mental state considered innapropriate when other words that mean the same thing are not considered inappropriate or offensive in the same context. The fact that other peipke have not heard of the other diagnosis's dodges the issue at hand. The point is they are singling out a word that is being used with correct association- stupud people being called retarded- and acting like its the same level as saying the Nig word when its not the same history or context at all. Sorry for the long apeech , lol.
As a northern Englishman I’ve got to say. I fucking love the word Retard. It rolls off the tongue unlike anything else, perfect for a self inflicted put down when doing something stupid or to lambast another member of the public doing the same. Why do all the fun and phonetically appealing words get taken away?
Taking a risk here but same with "faggot". It was never about linking homosexuality and a negative connotation together and specifically attributing that to someone, at least in the way I was accustomed to... it was just a perfect sounding word to apply when someone was acting like a piece of shit. Now the situation is that if you use it you're automatically insensitive to the emotions of anyone who is gay and therefore homophobic. Wait until the word "fuck" gets cancelled.
I too am a northerner. My favourite thing to shout, when things don’t go my way, is “Spacker’s day out!” But because I’m from Barnsley the “out” is pronounced “arrrrrrt!” It’s not copyrighted, so you can use it, if you want.
I too am a northerner. My favourite thing to shout, when things don’t go my way, is “Spacker’s day out!” But because I’m from Barnsley the “out” is pronounced “arrrrrrt!” It’s not copyrighted, so you can use it, if you want.
@@musicandlaughter_ I feel you bro, I grew up in the 2000's and saying "thats gay" or "stop bein a f4g" never had any relation to gay people in our heads when we were saying it. Im not against it being phased out but im gobsmacked that some people just automatically assume youre using it as a slur against gay people and never stop and think: "maybe it means something different to them". Ive had conversations with gay dudes and while i know they dont speak for all gay people, they told me they dont give a shit about people calling things gay. Theyre able to recognise that the way people say things is far more important than what they said.
Not a northerner, not even english by birth but I live in England for over a 3rd of my life. Retard and, as other guy said, Faggot are amazingly sound words to describe someone stupid (for Retard), without ever implying that he is actually mentally disabled, just slow to catch the gist of the conversation, or what point is the speaker trying to make, or a if a person is being a dick (for Faggot), without ever going into gay territory. I miss being able to call something gay when I simply didn't like it. One of my family members is gay and I'll be the first one to defend them, but I'll also call my brothers shoes gay right next to that gay person. I guess difference of where and when you were born. Words sound nice and it's a shame they are being woke-policed...
I’m a teacher and I refuse to say it because I have students with intellectual disabilities. It’s not that the word itself is offensive as in “flame retardant”, but that it’s often used as a derogatory term directed toward a person. It’s the intent behind the word that I won’t allow in my class. It’s kind of like the N word. It’s usually only used as a derogatory term that is based on a history of abuses.
Similarly, I had a teacher who refused to allow the word stupid in class as well, because they knew, and I know now, that stupid people actually exist, and they may know it at that early age.
@@dreamingmusic3299 I made up my own mind about the word. Just last week we had a sub that used the R word and administration simply said “don’t say that”, but they continued to sub the rest of the week. There was no reprimand. I believe in free speech. I believe in calling something by its true name, but that word is usually used as an insult. I’m not interested in insulting someone, especially for something they can’t help.
@@dreamingmusic3299 I get what you are saying in the sense that you think I’m a sheep, but the question remains. How should we refer to people with disabilities and why?
@@dreamingmusic3299 it is political for sure. My decision comes down to the individual and how they see themselves. My job is to first do no harm and then help kids reach their potential. I’m not a sheep. I literally got into education to help pull my students out of indoctrination.
In Germany, the German word for disabled "behindert" is thrown around as an insult in the same context "retarded" is commonly used in the English language. I wonder if that will lead to it being declared offensive. If that happens, I guess the German language will probably get a new pc word for disabled.
Great post! I wrote an article several years ago titled ““Retard. Fat. Bitch.” Mean vs. Meaning. A Writer Reclaiming Words” on elephant journal… interestingly, I’ve discovered since then (via your future guest, Andrew Huberman) people release dopamine when mildly angry or frustrated and when our biases are confirmed. I wonder if “offensive” words may tap into the draw for that next dopamine hit.
Interesting. That would certainly make sense and provide some explanation for why there are groups of people in the world who essentially seek outrage.
I think people seek out their endocrine normal from childhood. I mean if you were on a constant rollercoaster between dopamine and oxytocin through to adrenaline and cortisol, it's not just the feelings themselves, but their pattern over time, that people become habituated to. Consider "make-up sex" as an example. This is not great news for the children of addicts I would note. But it explains a lot of crazy aspects of behavior I think.
Salty Cracker calls leftists "anger addicts" and I have always agreed with that. Your comment highlights how it isn't simply one side of the isle, however. I actively avoid mainstream media as well as smaller channel outrage bait because I don't need that manipulated, heightened emotional state in my life. I have enough to focus on.
Bitch is an interesting word - the way that some have flipped it to a positive (i.e., Boss Bitch). Also, although it's primarily associated as offensive to women but it actually hurts a man more to be called a bitch. He can never ever own that. Unless he's gay , then it's a whole different ballgame there
Teaching a programming class I remarked that some code was "retarded". That gained me some disapproval so I said "ok, how about this, it's moronic ... there aren't any morons in this class, are there?"
In French, so I've discovered, "retard" is used often, as it means slow (late). To arrive somewhere "en retard," for example, is to arrive somewhere late. French aside, in journal articles, you might see something like "the growth of the tumor was retarded by X factor." You'll never see "the growth was idioted." Which word is more useful overall? I'm sure offended people won't take into account such details, but most things are larger than they at first seem.
Well that's literally the definition of it. The origins of the derogatory labelling was derived from this very much dictionary definition of being 'slow'. People need to understand it's a legitimate word-obviously the connotation that most of us use it in is to be debated.
I will never give up the word. Period. People who get offended by that word are the same people who get offended by every word, because they project their own implications and context onto the person saying it rather than literally taking it for what it means.
as a neurodivergent person (adhd) i use it too when i joke about myself or my friends. For me personally i would not get offended if someone called me a retard, as long as the context isn't to hurt me. Context really is the key
Omg I call myself colored allllll the time!!! Ppl always look at me like I'm broken! This is my first time hearing someone in defense of it other than my grandmother!
In French, we use the word 'retard' and it simply means 'late' and, is in common use. "Je suis en retard": "I am late". It is used in a non-derogatory sense with my son (21) who has autism. He does graphics programming quite competently yet, I have had to explain aspects of it to him from multiple viewpoints before the penny drops for him. Concepts that those more able can pick up much quicker. He is slower, running late, retarded but, he gets there. My schizophrenic stepdaughter is regularly hospitalised. I get to spend a lot of time in those places. When she is not available for a visit, I get to talk with other patients. I've often asked myself 'Why is this person in here?'. Then they casually mention some incident and the penny drops for me (e.g. Wandering off and finding themselves in another city or being picked up by the police at 3am, wandering the streets in pyjamas and carrying a bed quilt.....never did get that quilt back. I could mention, hanging out of our 5th-floor apartment window and debating with her voices about letting go) If you deal with the issues that these apparently offensive words describe then it is important that you are aware that these people are vulnerable and need a lot of supervision. You also absolutely need to maintain touch with people who are 'normal' so you never lose your points of reference. You need those strong words. You need them in the sense that the word 'cancer' is strong and don't persuade yourself that all you have is a bad bellyache. Yes, 'retard' is offensive but, so is 'cancer'. No one wants to deal with it.
@UCyIJ_3Y_4yb8XD2noj8FDCQ I can't see or find a means to send a direct message. Any word or phrase can be used as an insult, that much I believe is a given. It is only a matter of time before 'mentally challenged' becomes an insult. People who use it that way are not worth the time of day. I am a single parent. My youngest son (20) is flying academically. He is very focused and gregarious. My eldest son (22) has autism, much inspired by his younger brother and despite having a short attention span, will return to a problem time and time again until he finds a solution. The watershed moment for him came when he embraced his handicap and adopted the attitude: "OK, I'm going to have to work harder." My stepdaughter (32), is schizophrenic and occasionally suicidal. From day to day, you would be hard-pressed to know that this outgoing and positive person has a problem. Suicide attempts and long-distance wanderings can happen out of the blue. Experience has taught me what signs to be aware of. Still, I'm careful to place myself on the traffic side if we find ourselves walking down a busy street. My son didn't want to accept at first that he was handicapped. My stepdaughter was the same. This is much the same sense that alcoholics often have a hard time standing up and saying "I am an alcoholic." There is no real progress until that happens. The danger in using softer terms to describe their serious condition has the same softening effect on them. In other words: It's no big deal. The word is not an insult, it describes the state they are in and, its not good. On my first visit to see my stepdaughter at the hospital, I was interviewed by her psychiatrist. When she learned that I was also caring for my autistic son, she asked if I had a circle of friends. Well, a few but not many. It was then she suggested seeing a counsellor to get some guidance on caring. And: Call their conditions what they are and never forget what it means. The reason: There is a very real risk of imitating their behavours. That is why the circle of friends is important: Your sanity, which is relative, is a function of their behavours. It is slow and it is subtle. "I'm in no danger of copying", or so I thought. That was until a Jorden Peterson lecture confirmed that I was in error. The softer, kinder, gentler terms are, in my view, for people who don't want to deal with reality. You won't think "not so bad" when there are police tracker dogs in her bedroom to pick up her scent (pillowcase is best apparently) or he (six-foot-tall) has a meltdown in a supermarket (thankfully none for some years). He is retarded and working hard on that disadvantage. She is batshit crazy sometimes but embraces the very real danger she faces because of it (like asking me to lock the windows in her 5th-floor bedroom).
There are almost infinite ways to be offensive. You will always be able to offend, even if they banned all words. It’s a good thing. It promotes honesty and resilience!
It's a power play by the powerful against everyone else. Take a normal but powerful word and vilify everyone who uses it. This play interrupts people's ability to express themselves fluently and powerfully. imo Side benefit: people waste time (like us right now!) discussing acceptable expression rather than expressing what the want or need to express about their experience.
Many "offensive" terms are interpreted as derogatory because the behavior to which they refer is, itself, undesirable or otherwise disfunctional. Changing the branding won't do anything to address the underlying causes.
Exactly , it reminds me of a radio host I used to listen to who would say words like shiz instead of shit. Its one letter different and everyone knew what he was saying when he used it but the FCC would not be able to fine him like they could if he was saying shit
real men and women wouldn't be offended by words, its a shame really, so many people are so easily triggered by a word or multiple words or people or companies or anything for that matter they just go ballistic, the saying goes "sticks and stones may break my bones but words will NEVER hurt me."
Similarly, and for no reason, the word "oriental" at some point became racist in the English language but not in Spanish. It could have been the opposite case for equally random reasons.
I don't like using that word because many of the people who are supposedly described by it aren't able to process it and would be offended. Also many times ANY issues that people with disabilities have are put on the back burner and not given enough attention
I've noticed and mentioned this sort of thing to people for many years. This man is far more articulate but I've definitely noticed this and I'm sure many other people have as well? My uncle was in a wheelchair and he would refer to himself as a cripple but that just wouldn't be ok now. It's really weird and I can definitely see what George Orwell meant when he talked about words being thrown down the memory hole!
@@ankavoskuilen1725 I like to think of it as, if there's one thing humans have done forever, it's abuse language. Poor language, always getting blamed for what we do to it. 😆
Interestingly enough I watched a programme 15+ years ago and a guy being interviewed said she didn’t like being referred to a coloured guy, he said what does it even mean and to just call him a black guy. It’s all rather confusing what to say and what not to say.
@@zed5129 Is that what you do? Seems kinda r3t@rded. If race is the most proficient way to describe them, then that is what I go with. However, unless I would add "he/she is white/mexican/black/whatever" when describing a black/mexican/white/whatever person, I choose alternate physical descriptors. It really isn't hard at all.
Airbus pilots hear this word upon every landing multiple times, spoken by a computer audio voice. It just means 'pull power back to idle'. Do you as a passenger want to get them offended and take some stupid action!!?
Retarded used to be an unoffensive medical term. "Some group" didn't "just decide one day" that this word was now bad. People started using it in a nonmedical sense for the purpose of talking down to someone. And like these guys point out, language changes.
I remember saying the most random things and being called it and personally never took offense to it and laughed with them. To us it meant doing something slightly stupid but I only recently knew to some people its this deep... Thankfully I can't recall the last time I called someone that
Oh dear, now that he’s brought the other words to the attention of wokes, they’re going to be on their offensive list. Although if you called me a moron, idiot, etc., I wouldn’t be happy!
Language is not determined by any central locus of decision makers, ‘group of intellectuals’ in this case. It is a systemic process, like evolution. Staring at a word and trying to figure out who decided it was offensive is like staring at a spider and wondering who decided it should have eight legs.
That`s usually true. It is becoming more and more frequent that a small "group of intellectuals" in woke culture, or on twitter, or both, suddenly decide that a word or phrase, that was perfectly acceptable 5 mins ago, is now offensive. It usually doesn`t stick long term but it can get people in trouble or cancelled and in the short term. If you are unaware of this, good for you. That doesn`t mean it`s not part of the landscape currently.
Language is the most important tool to control people. That is why we must defend free speech with our lives! Offense is taken. Not given. You cannot have freedom without free speech.
Born in the 1975, with a very mild case of Cerebral palsy, this word was thrown around a lot. Yes, even, especially during the early elementary years, at me. BUT I used it and my friends also used it as saying "dude! That's stupid" or "you're stupid for doing that" etc... no one thought it was a big deal. Hell, even with the the friends I knew who had other disabilities, we joked and called each other that. Of course, I and we recognized once someone, that wasn't disabled, was using it to demean us - we knew that was wrong. But that person was a dick! But the word itself... nah I never had any issues with it at all.
When I was in middle school our teachers tried to ban offensive words like 'retard'. When we made up our own words to replace the banned ones, they got banned as well.
I think insults are a manifestation of aggression. The word you use to insult someone in some degree marks the dissociation, the antagonism, the fight. It all comes down to how menacing the insult is, and how “in danger” the other person feels he is. Manufactured or not, it is a warning for danger.
I'm a medical professional and I still use the word "retard" in a medical context. I don't use it often because that's usually not my patient population, but I have yet to be called out on it.
Great discussion as usual. I'd point out that as a black guy in America, I think there are more reasonable sounding explanations of why colored went out of fashion and became offensive that didn't come up. The main reason I think it went in the bad pile was it's relationship to segregation in America. It's not hard to find countless photos of signs saying some version of "Colored Not Allowed" or these are the water fountains and bathrooms "Colored" people are permitted to use. If there is a legitimate stigma to the word, it is partially because the states weaponized it as a cudgel of second class citizenship, not just an arbitrary decision as seems to be the case with the R-word.
I want to agree with this, but at the same time need to acknowledge the black community’s fickleness over constantly changing preferred terms. At one time, it was offensive to use the term “black”. At that time, Negro was preferred. Then came along “African American.” Now that term is considered passé. The problem is - “black” doesn’t really work for the majority of people who are either biracial or light-skinned. Black is certainly better than African American, because even Elon Musk would fall under that definition. Person of color isn’t satisfying because then you essentially bury diverse communities with little to nothing in common all under one term.
That's a very interesting point. You may well be on to something there. It would imply that whatever the term had been at that time, subsequent generations would have felt a need to distance themselves from it, as it would have inevitably accrued unpleasant associations.
@@smileytownSF I agree that the politically correct term for black people is more an artistic expression more than functional categorization, but I've never seen the use of "African American" or "Black" as an intentional insult whereas "Negro", "Colored", and obviously the "N-word" are inextricably linked to still unresolved and untreated trauma.
I’m white however if I were black and someone called me colored I would find it offensive. It makes it seem as if they were white and color was added to their skin.
The Spastic Society rebranded as Scope in the late 1990s because “spastic” was used as an insult. In the playground we immediately started using “scope” as an insult.
I still say retard most days and I'll never stop using it if required. I have stopped using spastic however, that always felt a little harsh... not sure why.
“Retard” is considered offensive because “Retarded” is an informal term for someone who is mentally challenged. We don’t use “Idiotic” to refer to mentally challenged people, even though that is the definition of the word. If we did use it in that way, then perhaps “idiot” would be an offensive word as well.
I'll go against the grain and just say, this is a normal part of linguistics, words go in and out of fashion over time, and we've kinda just all agreed that using the R word is often not appropriate.
@@justanothernick3984 if someone cant handle words, why would their respect and admiration be desirable? We should be thankful that theres such an easy litmus test to vet for people worth knowing.
I think its a bit hasty to say the only possible conclusion is that its "completely arbitrary." There could be a number of reasons why words with similar historical meanings are widely considered more or less offensive. Instead, perhaps its because "retard" has been the choice pejorative term for mentally challenged people in more recent culture, whereas "idiot", at least in the near past, has been used with a more ambigious range of applications.
I grew up where retard was only used for people were mentally challenged. Where idiot was used for someone who made poor choices. The policing of semantics and the lexical meaning of words comes across as click bait-ish.
@@thepuma77 Exactly, the meaning of words is contextual to the culture and time they're used in. Just because it meant something else in a dictionary from a hundred years ago doesn't mean everyone understands it the same today.
How has this become so difficult to understand? The term has become offensive (to some) because of its use as a pejorative. The thing about "retard" that's special is that it's also a term of endearment. The fact it's targeted to be labeled offensive is the stupidest form of etymological political manipulation. All that being said, I regularly use the term "retard" and especially "fucking retard" on a daily basis and refuse to muscle under to this contrived pearl-clutching over language.
@@CourageToB Quick! Ban _every_ word since there will always be someone offended. /s No doubt Karens pretending to be the fun police will invent something else to complain about! =P
Watch the full episode here, you cretin - ruclips.net/video/lP6MFi1hN4A/видео.html
Michael Malice once called me a cretin
Ha ha ha. No offense taken. I refuse to play the PC game.
What about the “Other”F Word?
Is F****t allowed? Because I don’t think we should have allowed the lgtbqiaxyz far left movement to get out of hand.
@@4EyedAnimation lol in what context?
@@kenclarke5966 I asked a civil question. You don't do that with Malice.
Thing that does my head in, is that “coloured person” is considered highly offensive, but “person of colour” is the height of progressive etiquette. It’s the same two words and swapping the order changes nothing!
Well you would say that as you're obviously a white person . . . . . or should I say Person of White.
"coloured" is also a culture in South Africa that is not the same as black culture.
@@amando96 exactly.
if you grew up in the 1960s coloured was the polite thing to call people black was very offensive .I referred to someone as a black man when I was 4 or 5 and my mother told me off this was in the 1960s she said you cant call someone black they are coloured they don't like the word black . then it totally changed in the late 1960 -1970s
@@HandlesAreForPussies yep. Giving people the power to control even the way you use language
"The demand for racism exceeds the supply" - absolutely correct
Obviously by someone who has never experienced racism on a daily basis!
the middle class have internalised racism and the xenophilia is a fetish
@@isaaca6445 yes, which is 99% of people, including the non-whites
@@luckygirl20000 No, actually mens biggest problem is women.
Not sure if that's true but very cool phrasing
Back in the ancient days of 8th grade in 1994, the kids in class would call each other retarded. The teacher said that we shouldn't use that word, and that it was replaced with mentally handicapped. So we started calling each other mentally handicapped instead
We had a similar reaction to the Nazi camps shown in class. We called each other jew babies in some dark humorous way. Probably to block out the horror. Class of 1989
Yes my nickname was Handi Man
I would strongly recommend to stick to words that have a stronger connection to "stupid" than to mental disabilities and neurodivergence. Words like "retard" can be used cause it's easier to interpret as stupid, but saying something is "autistic" for a synonym of stupid is, TBH, an awful idea, cause we autistic people don't want to be referred to or be seen as stupid.
@@kalistaredacted2808 When it comes to calling things or people autistic, it's not typically in the same context as stupid or retarded, more like hyper focused and in too deep.
Like back when I used to play eve-online, we were all autistic and referred to each other as such, because you kind of have to be to play that game.
And it's fair enough because we all pretty much were.
Besides, personally I think a little autism is a super-power anyway, works for me anyway.
@TriggeredOpinion You do you then. Black people can say the n word, you can use autism as an insult. Though I would like to highly urge you all against this. I just hope you don't run into a situation where you offend a group of autistic homies cause you use "autism" as a synonym for stupid.
I read the book '1984' and am getting absolute chills over the obvious "newspeak" we are all being forced to use
Offence is taken, not given. Great content!
I’ve said that to people at least a hundred times. No offense is given if none is taken.
My daughter is disabled. She's a delightful human full of joy and free of ego. She is not offended by outdated terminology and I'm not going to be offended on her behalf. When people use the word 'retarded' to describe her, I assume the best intention on their part. In 13 years, almost every person who meets her puts their best self forward, being kind and helpful. When I meet the unfortunate few who can't access that kindness, I assume their disability is far worse than can be seen on the surface. We have no victims in our house.
Beautiful! You choose how you see life and how you want to be seen.
@Blue Too I understand but it doesn't soften the blow completely when it's been in the early teen lexicon for around 40 years as a potent insult.
All these types of terms end up cyclical. Give it 20 years and 'retarded' will be the politically correct term again officially
Bless you and your perspective
But the thing is your daughter might not be offended by other people do get offended
Use her voice,😊 a disabled person, I can’t really say the Neurotypical people and please don’t call me that because sometimes it can actually be very hard to say that so please do not describe your daughter as there is somebody that does that she might not be
Outrage culture is built upon coddling social weakness! You're right! It's a choice to be offended in the 1st place!
It is also contributing to increasing division in society
Got me thinking, the word "nerd" used to be a form of insult 10+ years ago, now its considered when youre passionate about something.
I remember back in elementary and middle school, many people were insulting me for playing video games and calling me a nerd constantly.
After video games becoming mainstream, the word stopped becoming an offensive insult shortly after.
I can't recall who said it first but there's a saying that you can't give offense, only take it
offense is taken, never given/
The weakest, most offended person..... RULES!
Who gave 'these people' permission to police language and what are their qualifications?
Karens pretending to be the fun police. /s
They are Reddit users
Gender Studies?
We let women vote.
I think it was Cromwell who let them back in
The world is a rough place. Treating people with "kid gloves" DISEMPOWERS them and makes them weaker for the challenges that lay ahead in their lives
It really gets tricky when the US starts coming down on what's ok to say and do in other cultures
especially since american english tries to impose on real, english english
we english get AMERICANS trying to correct our english....
@@seabreeze4559 As an american, I find this equally hilarious and dodgy that americans actually do it. Like... uh... Who do you think we learned this from?
The 'semantic treadmill'. Whatever word you use, people will latch onto it as a source of offense. It's fun (and expedient) to be offended!
and currently it even hepls to make money.
@Brian spot on :D
They won't change the term again until everyone knows what it means.
I got sent to Twitter jail twice, but I was referring to chemical flame re----rdants. The algorithm cannot distinguish, is what I surmised.
That kind of thing is really retarding society
And now that we can’t read your tweet, we cannot extinguish either, is what I surmise.
This generation is so weak that everyday words are offensive. God help us if they had to struggle like past generations.
Entire wars were fought (still are) because people in the past that believe in the same god found it offensive that people worshiped that exact same god differently.
people have always been cry babies it’s just now they’re crying about different things
Oh don't worry, that's coming before the Fall with the food shortages and hyper-inflation.
you can say it, just not on social media bc it gets you banned (source: i was perma-banned on twitter the first time i said it). because of this, for people permanently online it looks like no-one is saying it, but in real life that's just not true
@@yes-vy6bn can’t ban someone in real life
I saw people outraged at lizzo using spaz lol. People are goofy these days.
I think the word “retard” is seen to be more offensive than the other words mentioned because those other words fell out of common usage in a medical diagnosis sense longer ago. Nobody has been diagnosed as an imbecile or moron in most people’s living memory while “retarded” was still commonly applied as a descriptor up until about 30 years ago when it began to be superseded by more nuanced and specific diagnoses
Yeah there’s definitely a cultural context to the “offensiveness” of words, give it 100 years and the use of the word ‘retard’ probably won’t be a problem. In NZ we use all sorts of words that are offensive in other countries as terms of endearment, here you can be a ‘good cunt’ while in America there’s the “h-word” (hell)
Exactly right. WTF is he going on about that some unknown intellectual illuminati made the decision one day and proclaimed the word offensive?! For someone that did a lot of thinking on the subject I'm amazed he didn't figure that out.
Plausible
Absolutely right. I don't know who this guy is but his 'research' doesn't sound too extensive.
Youre missing the point. The point is why is a word that is associated with reduced mental state considered innapropriate when other words that mean the same thing are not considered inappropriate or offensive in the same context. The fact that other peipke have not heard of the other diagnosis's dodges the issue at hand. The point is they are singling out a word that is being used with correct association- stupud people being called retarded- and acting like its the same level as saying the Nig word when its not the same history or context at all. Sorry for the long apeech , lol.
As a northern Englishman I’ve got to say. I fucking love the word Retard.
It rolls off the tongue unlike anything else, perfect for a self inflicted put down when doing something stupid or to lambast another member of the public doing the same. Why do all the fun and phonetically appealing words get taken away?
Taking a risk here but same with "faggot". It was never about linking homosexuality and a negative connotation together and specifically attributing that to someone, at least in the way I was accustomed to... it was just a perfect sounding word to apply when someone was acting like a piece of shit. Now the situation is that if you use it you're automatically insensitive to the emotions of anyone who is gay and therefore homophobic.
Wait until the word "fuck" gets cancelled.
I too am a northerner. My favourite thing to shout, when things don’t go my way, is “Spacker’s day out!” But because I’m from Barnsley the “out” is pronounced “arrrrrrt!”
It’s not copyrighted, so you can use it, if you want.
I too am a northerner. My favourite thing to shout, when things don’t go my way, is “Spacker’s day out!” But because I’m from Barnsley the “out” is pronounced “arrrrrrt!”
It’s not copyrighted, so you can use it, if you want.
@@musicandlaughter_ I feel you bro, I grew up in the 2000's and saying "thats gay" or "stop bein a f4g" never had any relation to gay people in our heads when we were saying it. Im not against it being phased out but im gobsmacked that some people just automatically assume youre using it as a slur against gay people and never stop and think: "maybe it means something different to them". Ive had conversations with gay dudes and while i know they dont speak for all gay people, they told me they dont give a shit about people calling things gay. Theyre able to recognise that the way people say things is far more important than what they said.
Not a northerner, not even english by birth but I live in England for over a 3rd of my life.
Retard and, as other guy said, Faggot are amazingly sound words to describe someone stupid (for Retard), without ever implying that he is actually mentally disabled, just slow to catch the gist of the conversation, or what point is the speaker trying to make, or a if a person is being a dick (for Faggot), without ever going into gay territory. I miss being able to call something gay when I simply didn't like it. One of my family members is gay and I'll be the first one to defend them, but I'll also call my brothers shoes gay right next to that gay person. I guess difference of where and when you were born. Words sound nice and it's a shame they are being woke-policed...
As a wise man once said "I'm no fucking linguist"
priceless :D
Its used in Aircraft landing procedures.
Just be kind to people. So simple. Don't even need to worry about the rest.
I’m a teacher and I refuse to say it because I have students with intellectual disabilities. It’s not that the word itself is offensive as in “flame retardant”, but that it’s often used as a derogatory term directed toward a person. It’s the intent behind the word that I won’t allow in my class. It’s kind of like the N word. It’s usually only used as a derogatory term that is based on a history of abuses.
Similarly, I had a teacher who refused to allow the word stupid in class as well, because they knew, and I know now, that stupid people actually exist, and they may know it at that early age.
@@dreamingmusic3299 I made up my own mind about the word. Just last week we had a sub that used the R word and administration simply said “don’t say that”, but they continued to sub the rest of the week. There was no reprimand. I believe in free speech. I believe in calling something by its true name, but that word is usually used as an insult. I’m not interested in insulting someone, especially for something they can’t help.
@@dreamingmusic3299 do you think it’s helpful for a teacher to call a SPED student “retard”? Please help me understand what you mean.
@@dreamingmusic3299 I get what you are saying in the sense that you think I’m a sheep, but the question remains. How should we refer to people with disabilities and why?
@@dreamingmusic3299 it is political for sure. My decision comes down to the individual and how they see themselves. My job is to first do no harm and then help kids reach their potential. I’m not a sheep. I literally got into education to help pull my students out of indoctrination.
In Germany, the German word for disabled "behindert" is thrown around as an insult in the same context "retarded" is commonly used in the English language. I wonder if that will lead to it being declared offensive. If that happens, I guess the German language will probably get a new pc word for disabled.
Great post! I wrote an article several years ago titled ““Retard. Fat. Bitch.” Mean vs. Meaning. A Writer Reclaiming Words” on elephant journal… interestingly, I’ve discovered since then (via your future guest, Andrew Huberman) people release dopamine when mildly angry or frustrated and when our biases are confirmed. I wonder if “offensive” words may tap into the draw for that next dopamine hit.
Interesting. That would certainly make sense and provide some explanation for why there are groups of people in the world who essentially seek outrage.
I think people seek out their endocrine normal from childhood. I mean if you were on a constant rollercoaster between dopamine and oxytocin through to adrenaline and cortisol, it's not just the feelings themselves, but their pattern over time, that people become habituated to. Consider "make-up sex" as an example.
This is not great news for the children of addicts I would note. But it explains a lot of crazy aspects of behavior I think.
Salty Cracker calls leftists "anger addicts" and I have always agreed with that. Your comment highlights how it isn't simply one side of the isle, however. I actively avoid mainstream media as well as smaller channel outrage bait because I don't need that manipulated, heightened emotional state in my life. I have enough to focus on.
@@haniamritdas4725 I think there's a lot of truth in that. It's like veterans sometimes want to go back.
Bitch is an interesting word - the way that some have flipped it to a positive (i.e., Boss Bitch). Also, although it's primarily associated as offensive to women but it actually hurts a man more to be called a bitch. He can never ever own that. Unless he's gay , then it's a whole different ballgame there
When they are the right word for the sentence I still use exactly the words I’ve always used- no words are unacceptable.
This guy speaks incredibly clearly, he's great
You can speak clearly and still be wrong!
Teaching a programming class I remarked that some code was "retarded". That gained me some disapproval so I said "ok, how about this, it's moronic ... there aren't any morons in this class, are there?"
Aiaiai, did they understand what you were saying??? :)
@@ankavoskuilen1725 Apparently not. :)
I like that.
I believe it was the great Thomas Sowell who said "the demand for racism exceeds the supply".
its not just the word that makes something offensive, its the context, how its said
The fact people would lose their shit that much over a tiny little word is just wild.
I 💯 agree and I have autism! I call myself that all the time!
@@MorganAFunches Yet you still know better than to use that word towards other mentally ill people right? (Nor in the presence of any)
It isn't a tiny word it is a toxic word don't normalized a harmful and toxic word
It is called "Ruled by Rhetoric." Control the language, control the thought.
bingo
Hey Chris glad to see your well in this fun filled world we are participating in
im offended. i reported you. you will be banned.
Greetings from Belgium ❤
More than fighting against something, they want to feel morally superior. Human nature.
Literally synonymous with “Idiot”. It’s mean, but shouldn’t be any more offensive than calling someone an idiot
Exactly! Honestly as an autistic person I'm not offended with that word and I call myself that word a lot! Lol!
I suspect that it was not in fact arbitrary, but that it was due to it being the most prevalent insult word within certain circles.
Joseph "R" Biden -- it all makes sense now
#lgb
In French, so I've discovered, "retard" is used often, as it means slow (late). To arrive somewhere "en retard," for example, is to arrive somewhere late. French aside, in journal articles, you might see something like "the growth of the tumor was retarded by X factor." You'll never see "the growth was idioted." Which word is more useful overall? I'm sure offended people won't take into account such details, but most things are larger than they at first seem.
Even funnier here in Canada where french is an official language but saying retard is a no no
very clever insight
Well that's literally the definition of it. The origins of the derogatory labelling was derived from this very much dictionary definition of being 'slow'. People need to understand it's a legitimate word-obviously the connotation that most of us use it in is to be debated.
It has to do with French being one of the Latin based languages,and the word at it's base is tard,not retard
Its also used in the auto industry when timing an engine. You will advance or retard the timing of the engine..
I will never give up the word. Period. People who get offended by that word are the same people who get offended by every word, because they project their own implications and context onto the person saying it rather than literally taking it for what it means.
Agreed 100 percent, I will never give up the word either,,,,
as a neurodivergent person (adhd) i use it too when i joke about myself or my friends. For me personally i would not get offended if someone called me a retard, as long as the context isn't to hurt me. Context really is the key
@@NO-st6pc Great point,
Me too. I'm not gonna give up that word.
@@NO-st6pcit’s still an ableist term
Omg I call myself colored allllll the time!!! Ppl always look at me like I'm broken! This is my first time hearing someone in defense of it other than my grandmother!
I can understand the argument. Color is not the main trait. Similarily, some do not say disabled people but people with disabilities
In French, we use the word 'retard' and it simply means 'late' and, is in common use. "Je suis en retard": "I am late".
It is used in a non-derogatory sense with my son (21) who has autism. He does graphics programming quite competently yet, I have had to explain aspects of it to him from multiple viewpoints before the penny drops for him. Concepts that those more able can pick up much quicker. He is slower, running late, retarded but, he gets there.
My schizophrenic stepdaughter is regularly hospitalised. I get to spend a lot of time in those places. When she is not available for a visit, I get to talk with other patients. I've often asked myself 'Why is this person in here?'. Then they casually mention some incident and the penny drops for me (e.g. Wandering off and finding themselves in another city or being picked up by the police at 3am, wandering the streets in pyjamas and carrying a bed quilt.....never did get that quilt back. I could mention, hanging out of our 5th-floor apartment window and debating with her voices about letting go)
If you deal with the issues that these apparently offensive words describe then it is important that you are aware that these people are vulnerable and need a lot of supervision. You also absolutely need to maintain touch with people who are 'normal' so you never lose your points of reference. You need those strong words. You need them in the sense that the word 'cancer' is strong and don't persuade yourself that all you have is a bad bellyache.
Yes, 'retard' is offensive but, so is 'cancer'. No one wants to deal with it.
@UCyIJ_3Y_4yb8XD2noj8FDCQ I can't see or find a means to send a direct message.
Any word or phrase can be used as an insult, that much I believe is a given. It is only a matter of time before 'mentally challenged' becomes an insult. People who use it that way are not worth the time of day.
I am a single parent. My youngest son (20) is flying academically. He is very focused and gregarious.
My eldest son (22) has autism, much inspired by his younger brother and despite having a short attention span, will return to a problem time and time again until he finds a solution. The watershed moment for him came when he embraced his handicap and adopted the attitude: "OK, I'm going to have to work harder."
My stepdaughter (32), is schizophrenic and occasionally suicidal. From day to day, you would be hard-pressed to know that this outgoing and positive person has a problem. Suicide attempts and long-distance wanderings can happen out of the blue. Experience has taught me what signs to be aware of. Still, I'm careful to place myself on the traffic side if we find ourselves walking down a busy street.
My son didn't want to accept at first that he was handicapped. My stepdaughter was the same. This is much the same sense that alcoholics often have a hard time standing up and saying "I am an alcoholic." There is no real progress until that happens.
The danger in using softer terms to describe their serious condition has the same softening effect on them. In other words: It's no big deal. The word is not an insult, it describes the state they are in and, its not good.
On my first visit to see my stepdaughter at the hospital, I was interviewed by her psychiatrist. When she learned that I was also caring for my autistic son, she asked if I had a circle of friends. Well, a few but not many. It was then she suggested seeing a counsellor to get some guidance on caring.
And: Call their conditions what they are and never forget what it means. The reason: There is a very real risk of imitating their behavours. That is why the circle of friends is important: Your sanity, which is relative, is a function of their behavours. It is slow and it is subtle. "I'm in no danger of copying", or so I thought. That was until a Jorden Peterson lecture confirmed that I was in error.
The softer, kinder, gentler terms are, in my view, for people who don't want to deal with reality. You won't think "not so bad" when there are police tracker dogs in her bedroom to pick up her scent (pillowcase is best apparently) or he (six-foot-tall) has a meltdown in a supermarket (thankfully none for some years).
He is retarded and working hard on that disadvantage. She is batshit crazy sometimes but embraces the very real danger she faces because of it (like asking me to lock the windows in her 5th-floor bedroom).
It also means late and slow in English. E.g. The extinguisher retarded the fire, and retarded ignition angle and many planes have 'retard mode'.
it's a process called a development delay
which means the same basically
the middle class censors the working class
Sorry but retarded in English means retardé as in retardé mental not retard as in delay
Ok,Fauci is late then.
There are almost infinite ways to be offensive. You will always be able to offend, even if they banned all words. It’s a good thing. It promotes honesty and resilience!
It's a power play by the powerful against everyone else. Take a normal but powerful word and vilify everyone who uses it. This play interrupts people's ability to express themselves fluently and powerfully. imo
Side benefit: people waste time (like us right now!) discussing acceptable expression rather than expressing what the want or need to express about their experience.
'Whatever can keep Civilization divided and at war' is always good for the social cause.
Many "offensive" terms are interpreted as derogatory because the behavior to which they refer is, itself, undesirable or otherwise disfunctional. Changing the branding won't do anything to address the underlying causes.
Exactly , it reminds me of a radio host I used to listen to who would say words like shiz instead of shit. Its one letter different and everyone knew what he was saying when he used it but the FCC would not be able to fine him like they could if he was saying shit
To be fair. When you call a person retar you are trying to offend that person. Lol
real men and women wouldn't be offended by words, its a shame really, so many people are so easily triggered by a word or multiple words or people or companies or anything for that matter they just go ballistic, the saying goes "sticks and stones may break my bones but words will NEVER hurt me."
The demand for racism exceeds the supply. Powerful thought.
I think that's originally a Douglas Murray-ism, and a damned good one.
Might be Thomas Sowell
It’s probably just the lighting, but Chris is the coloured person in this conversation!
Similarly, and for no reason, the word "oriental" at some point became racist in the English language but not in Spanish. It could have been the opposite case for equally random reasons.
Not really, for the most part Spanish speaking cultures don't play these bullshit victim games.
If Oriental is racist then Occidental must be as well.
@@edwardburroughs1489 i have a tool belt made by Occidental. Superb quality
@@paddington1670 West is best! (Although its probably Chinese made :).
I don't like using that word because many of the people who are supposedly described by it aren't able to process it and would be offended. Also many times ANY issues that people with disabilities have are put on the back burner and not given enough attention
Insults are supposed to be offensive.
My dude nailed it. You can always choose how you react.
I've noticed and mentioned this sort of thing to people for many years. This man is far more articulate but I've definitely noticed this and I'm sure many other people have as well? My uncle was in a wheelchair and he would refer to himself as a cripple but that just wouldn't be ok now. It's really weird and I can definitely see what George Orwell meant when he talked about words being thrown down the memory hole!
It has happened for ages in all languages. Apparently this is how language works.
@@ankavoskuilen1725 I like to think of it as, if there's one thing humans have done forever, it's abuse language. Poor language, always getting blamed for what we do to it. 😆
I have said for years, “choose not to be offended” . Pretty simple
Interestingly enough I watched a programme 15+ years ago and a guy being interviewed said she didn’t like being referred to a coloured guy, he said what does it even mean and to just call him a black guy. It’s all rather confusing what to say and what not to say.
Try not referring to their race at all. That is what I do. It is really easy if you just focus on other characteristics.
@@zed5129 Is that what you do? Seems kinda r3t@rded.
If race is the most proficient way to describe them, then that is what I go with.
However, unless I would add "he/she is white/mexican/black/whatever" when describing a black/mexican/white/whatever person, I choose alternate physical descriptors.
It really isn't hard at all.
OMG THANK YOU CHRIS 🙏🏼
Airbus pilots hear this word upon every landing multiple times, spoken by a computer audio voice. It just means 'pull power back to idle'. Do you as a passenger want to get them offended and take some stupid action!!?
That is funny. I bet the pilots do not use it privately, since it has a different meaning to them
Retarded used to be an unoffensive medical term. "Some group" didn't "just decide one day" that this word was now bad. People started using it in a nonmedical sense for the purpose of talking down to someone. And like these guys point out, language changes.
Odd. Most cripples aren’t this sensitive.
Thanks Chris!
You can, I say it a million times a day
I remember saying the most random things and being called it and personally never took offense to it and laughed with them. To us it meant doing something slightly stupid but I only recently knew to some people its this deep... Thankfully I can't recall the last time I called someone that
Great stuff, excellent and informative conversation.
One TAKES offence.
Offence cannot be given. 😉👍
Oh dear, now that he’s brought the other words to the attention of wokes, they’re going to be on their offensive list. Although if you called me a moron, idiot, etc., I wouldn’t be happy!
But we can all be moronic, idiotic ect.
Especially on a Monday.
Yeah, that's what insults are suppoused to do.
It was Marcus Aurelius who said it best when he said "chose to be not harmed and you are not".
Language is not determined by any central locus of decision makers, ‘group of intellectuals’ in this case. It is a systemic process, like evolution. Staring at a word and trying to figure out who decided it was offensive is like staring at a spider and wondering who decided it should have eight legs.
That`s usually true. It is becoming more and more frequent that a small "group of intellectuals" in woke culture, or on twitter, or both, suddenly decide that a word or phrase, that was perfectly acceptable 5 mins ago, is now offensive. It usually doesn`t stick long term but it can get people in trouble or cancelled and in the short term. If you are unaware of this, good for you. That doesn`t mean it`s not part of the landscape currently.
Look at the origins of the word retarded being demonized. It was a small PAC that got the ball rolling. In the UK IIRC.
@@justanothernick3984 It just another dose of bro science on steroids.
@@thepuma77 Lol! Facts! 😂
The demand for racism exceeds supply. Yes, this is an important observation
But not necessarily true. Sounds clever though.
I'm French and a little slow so....
Language is the most important tool to control people. That is why we must defend free speech with our lives! Offense is taken. Not given. You cannot have freedom without free speech.
Rhubard, there I said it!
adventurer
P.S Totally agree. Great way of trying to shine a light on a somewhat dim topic.
Born in the 1975, with a very mild case of Cerebral palsy, this word was thrown around a lot. Yes, even, especially during the early elementary years, at me. BUT I used it and my friends also used it as saying "dude! That's stupid" or "you're stupid for doing that" etc... no one thought it was a big deal. Hell, even with the the friends I knew who had other disabilities, we joked and called each other that. Of course, I and we recognized once someone, that wasn't disabled, was using it to demean us - we knew that was wrong. But that person was a dick! But the word itself... nah I never had any issues with it at all.
offence is inference; it always shifts as inferences shift.
I used to call my step sisters tard muffins. Not sure what it exactly meant but it was funny as hell.
I had a guy in my group of friends that was the self-appointed R-word Policeman. He was like: YOU CAN'T SAY THAT!!!!!
When I was in middle school our teachers tried to ban offensive words like 'retard'. When we made up our own words to replace the banned ones, they got banned as well.
You bertro
As if thirteen year are never wrong right.
I think insults are a manifestation of aggression. The word you use to insult someone in some degree marks the dissociation, the antagonism, the fight. It all comes down to how menacing the insult is, and how “in danger” the other person feels he is. Manufactured or not, it is a warning for danger.
I'm a medical professional and I still use the word "retard" in a medical context. I don't use it often because that's usually not my patient population, but I have yet to be called out on it.
Choosing to use an offensive slur sometimes is kinda the point.
Great discussion as usual. I'd point out that as a black guy in America, I think there are more reasonable sounding explanations of why colored went out of fashion and became offensive that didn't come up. The main reason I think it went in the bad pile was it's relationship to segregation in America. It's not hard to find countless photos of signs saying some version of "Colored Not Allowed" or these are the water fountains and bathrooms "Colored" people are permitted to use. If there is a legitimate stigma to the word, it is partially because the states weaponized it as a cudgel of second class citizenship, not just an arbitrary decision as seems to be the case with the R-word.
I want to agree with this, but at the same time need to acknowledge the black community’s fickleness over constantly changing preferred terms. At one time, it was offensive to use the term “black”. At that time, Negro was preferred. Then came along “African American.” Now that term is considered passé. The problem is - “black” doesn’t really work for the majority of people who are either biracial or light-skinned. Black is certainly better than African American, because even Elon Musk would fall under that definition. Person of color isn’t satisfying because then you essentially bury diverse communities with little to nothing in common all under one term.
That's a very interesting point. You may well be on to something there. It would imply that whatever the term had been at that time, subsequent generations would have felt a need to distance themselves from it, as it would have inevitably accrued unpleasant associations.
@@smileytownSF I agree that the politically correct term for black people is more an artistic expression more than functional categorization, but I've never seen the use of "African American" or "Black" as an intentional insult whereas "Negro", "Colored", and obviously the "N-word" are inextricably linked to still unresolved and untreated trauma.
I’m white however if I were black and someone called me colored I would find it offensive. It makes it seem as if they were white and color was added to their skin.
The thing is, colored is not offensive in South Africa.
The Spastic Society rebranded as Scope in the late 1990s because “spastic” was used as an insult. In the playground we immediately started using “scope” as an insult.
Yes, that is exactly how it works. It is not the word you use, it is what you want to express.
I still say retard most days and I'll never stop using it if required. I have stopped using spastic however, that always felt a little harsh... not sure why.
Americans used "spaz" which never seemed that bad. Feel free to bring it back. I'll do my part 😂
Offense is not given, only taken.
“Retard” is considered offensive because “Retarded” is an informal term for someone who is mentally challenged. We don’t use “Idiotic” to refer to mentally challenged people, even though that is the definition of the word. If we did use it in that way, then perhaps “idiot” would be an offensive word as well.
The world's gone off its head!
Sticks and stones may break your bones, but words can never hurt you.
Selective Outrage - it’s pride imo to fill voids of fear, insecurity & meaninglessness.
I'll go against the grain and just say, this is a normal part of linguistics, words go in and out of fashion over time, and we've kinda just all agreed that using the R word is often not appropriate.
@@justanothernick3984 if someone cant handle words, why would their respect and admiration be desirable? We should be thankful that theres such an easy litmus test to vet for people worth knowing.
@@justanothernick3984 of course, but we should also strive for better relationships and building a better society.
The social justice warriors have taken over.
Uh what
I think its a bit hasty to say the only possible conclusion is that its "completely arbitrary." There could be a number of reasons why words with similar historical meanings are widely considered more or less offensive.
Instead, perhaps its because "retard" has been the choice pejorative term for mentally challenged people in more recent culture, whereas "idiot", at least in the near past, has been used with a more ambigious range of applications.
I grew up where retard was only used for people were mentally challenged. Where idiot was used for someone who made poor choices. The policing of semantics and the lexical meaning of words comes across as click bait-ish.
@@thepuma77 Exactly, the meaning of words is contextual to the culture and time they're used in. Just because it meant something else in a dictionary from a hundred years ago doesn't mean everyone understands it the same today.
It's really simple guys... We are all people 'FIRST'
I love the word, use it all the time, but only when it's appropriate
Spot on Chris. It is the“red light, green light” game of childhood.
How has this become so difficult to understand? The term has become offensive (to some) because of its use as a pejorative. The thing about "retard" that's special is that it's also a term of endearment. The fact it's targeted to be labeled offensive is the stupidest form of etymological political manipulation.
All that being said, I regularly use the term "retard" and especially "fucking retard" on a daily basis and refuse to muscle under to this contrived pearl-clutching over language.
I was just talking to a coworker last week that this word should be brought back.
How can "retard" be used endearingly?
@@Gigusx Pejoratives like "idiot" and "imbecile" are 'othering' terms. "Retard" is something you call your mates.
This makes so much sense!
you said the word u get a like
'Rolf Harris' has been socially unacceptable for some time.
Is the R word RIGGA?
I thought it was going to be “racist”
some time ago some people burned books... nowadays some people ban the use of words...
neither makes our world a better place.
Instead of saying "people of colored", you could also just say "people" and stop the madness.
right or just dont talk at all. why to refer to people - who knows, they might be offended
@@CourageToB Quick! Ban _every_ word since there will always be someone offended. /s
No doubt Karens pretending to be the fun police will invent something else to complain about! =P
Yeah, haven’t been allowed to say this in the US for about a decade now.