Stop stop stop stop saying this word!!!!!

[Mags 112]

I HATE the word "retarded". Just the same way as I hated the word "spastic" in the UK. Both used in the same context and just as insulting. SO yes, I agree with you, Cassie 100%.

What about "Nutter"? That's surely a stigmatised term in much the same way... Pretty much means the same thing doesn't it, only for someone with a mental illness like Schizophrenia or something similar. I think its interesting that people seem to view developmental disorders rather different from broader mental disorders.

I see your point, 6, I really do. Reading your excerpt above it seems that most of our "everyday" terms used to be medical terms from many years ago. E.g. idiot, stupid and so on. These terms were probably used at that time as insults to people aswell and, like today, may have been deemed offensive to some.

Perhaps in 100 years the term retarded will be thought of along the same lines as "stupid" or "idiot" and will be acceptable. Doesn't make it any less offensive today though...

[eric&gen 0]

People are sure mean now a days in this age they can insult me call me R all they like. I will just give them my middle finger tell them to STFU, suck my nutsz, bite me, blow me go suck a #### lol.

[Jasman0717 9]

So retard has now reached the political correctness 'DO NOT USE' list

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

I HATE the word "retarded". Just the same way as I hated the word "spastic" in the UK. Both used in the same context and just as insulting. SO yes, I agree with you, Cassie 100%.

What about "Nutter"? That's surely a stigmatised term in much the same way... Pretty much means the same thing doesn't it, only for someone with a mental illness like Schizophrenia or something similar. I think its interesting that people seem to view developmental disorders rather different from broader mental disorders.

I see your point, 6, I really do. Reading your excerpt above it seems that most of our "everyday" terms used to be medical terms from many years ago. E.g. idiot, stupid and so on. These terms were probably used at that time as insults to people aswell and, like today, may have been deemed offensive to some.

Perhaps in 100 years the term retarded will be thought of along the same lines as "stupid" or "idiot" and will be acceptable. Doesn't make it any less offensive today though...

Well while I wouldn't poke fun at anyone with a disability it does seem that we do have a ready supply of words that whether used intentionally or no - denigrate the mentally ill. Surely the offence lies in the intent behind those words, rather than in any one specific term.

[Mags 112]

I HATE the word "retarded". Just the same way as I hated the word "spastic" in the UK. Both used in the same context and just as insulting. SO yes, I agree with you, Cassie 100%.

What about "Nutter"? That's surely a stigmatised term in much the same way... Pretty much means the same thing doesn't it, only for someone with a mental illness like Schizophrenia or something similar. I think its interesting that people seem to view developmental disorders rather different from broader mental disorders.

I see your point, 6, I really do. Reading your excerpt above it seems that most of our "everyday" terms used to be medical terms from many years ago. E.g. idiot, stupid and so on. These terms were probably used at that time as insults to people aswell and, like today, may have been deemed offensive to some.

Perhaps in 100 years the term retarded will be thought of along the same lines as "stupid" or "idiot" and will be acceptable. Doesn't make it any less offensive today though...

Well while I wouldn't poke fun at anyone with a disability it does seem that we do have a ready supply of words that whether used intentionally or no - denigrate the mentally ill. Surely the offence lies in the intent behind those words, rather than in any one specific term.

Again I see your point. My point (and the OP's I guess!) is that by continuing to use this word, it is perpetuating the idea that it is okay to use medical terms for the mentally challenged as an insult for people who do not suffer such problems themselves.

Maybe it IS overly politically correct, may be it isn't, but in the end it doesn't do anyone any favours.

[jundp 191]

I think it's the new 'stupid' as in "Don't be so retarded." Not the connotation necessarily of being born with a mental disability.

I am careful about saying a lot of words in public that others might take out of context or find offensive. When I'm at a restaurant, I try not to cuss out loud. I've noticed that some people do so without any hesitation. To be mindful of what you are saying within earshot of others, IMO, is understanding social etiquette, not being PC.

Whatever words we have that are considered taboo will be used by some because they are taboo. There will always be bad manners - I'd just point it out to that person what a social f##ktard they are.

So retard has now reached the political correctness 'DO NOT USE' list

Yes, and it is just as bad as using the word "gay" to call something "stupid," IMHO. At my high school, the kids are taught and coached to use better words to express themselves. Most of them don't intend the word in the manner in which it is perceived by most, however, it is still offensive.

I don't think it's PC so much as being considerate human beings. And teaching these kids to be considerate of others. Most of the kids (and adults) I hear using words like "retard" "gay" etc, are fabulous people. I don't condemn them, but at least for the kids I teach, I try to point out to them how it is being inconsiderate and ask them to come up with better words. It's amazing how their vocabularies improve Course, I'm the Creative Writing teacher so I'm allowed to be eccentric.

[Ban Hammer 14,023]

retarded!retarded!retarded!retarded!retarded!retarded!retarded!retarded!retarded!retarded!retarded!retarded!retarded!retarded!retarded!retarded!retarded!retarded!retarded!retarded!retarded!retarded!retarded!retarded!retarded!retarded!retarded!retarded!retarded!retarded!retarded!retarded!retarded!retarded!retarded!retarded!retarded!retarded!retarded!retarded!retarded!retarded!retarded!retarded!retarded!retarded!retarded!retarded!retarded!retarded!retarded!retarded!retarded!retarded!retarded!retarded!retarded!retarded!retarded!retarded!retarded!retarded!retarded!retarded!retarded!retarded!retarded!retarded!retarded!retarded!retarded!retarded!retarded!retarded!retarded!retarded!retarded!retarded!retarded!retarded!retarded!retarded!retarded!retarded!retarded!retarded!retarded!retarded!retarded!retarded!retarded!retarded!retarded!retarded!retarded!retarded!v

so what other nicknames did you have in high school?

[one...two...tree 2,762]

I have to agree with the posts saying that most people who use retarded as a casual insult are not making a mean-spirited reference to people with mental disabilities.

I grew up using the word in this casual way (say, 25 years ago, so the use is not new). It was more or less equivalent to moron, and only when I was in high school did a teacher who worked with special ed kids point out that this could be offensive. I was surprised and embarrassed. I think there might be a regional aspect to this as well. I grew up in Massachusetts (it's pronounced "reetaah-did" in the Boston area), where perhaps this casual use was more common and thus less offensive. Nowadays, even the term mentally retarded is increasingly being replaced by mentally disabled, developmentally disabled, and so on, so maybe that contributes to the use of retarded as a term not as strongly associated with intelligence as in the past. Just a thought.

Great post!

[one...two...tree 2,762]

People are sure mean now a days in this age they can insult me call me R all they like. I will just give them my middle finger tell them to STFU, suck my nutsz, bite me, blow me go suck a #### lol.

I had a brother who was placed in the special education classes (he went on to become a paramedic)...yeah, kids can be rudest azzes, but you have do what you did and just grow a thick skin, because there's always going to be azzes like that.

[Jasman0717 9]

retarded!retarded!retarded!retarded!retarded!retarded!retarded!retarded!retarded!retarded!retarded!retarded!retarded!retarded!retarded!retarded!retarded!retarded!retarded!retarded!retarded!retarded!retarded!retarded!retarded!retarded!retarded!retarded!retarded!retarded!retarded!retarded!retarded!retarded!retarded!retarded!retarded!retarded!retarded!retarded!retarded!retarded!retarded!retarded!retarded!retarded!retarded!retarded!retarded!retarded!retarded!retarded!retarded!retarded!retarded!retarded!retarded!retarded!retarded!retarded!retarded!retarded!retarded!retarded!retarded!retarded!retarded!retarded!retarded!retarded!retarded!retarded!retarded!retarded!retarded!retarded!retarded!retarded!retarded!retarded!retarded!retarded!retarded!retarded!retarded!retarded!retarded!retarded!retarded!retarded!retarded!retarded!retarded!retarded!retarded!retarded!v

so what other nicknames did you have in high school?

Arijit seems to like the word well enough

[Cassie 8]

I HATE the word "retarded". Just the same way as I hated the word "spastic" in the UK. Both used in the same context and just as insulting. SO yes, I agree with you, Cassie 100%.

What about "Nutter"? That's surely a stigmatised term in much the same way... Pretty much means the same thing doesn't it, only for someone with a mental illness like Schizophrenia or something similar. I think its interesting that people seem to view developmental disorders rather different from broader mental disorders.

I see your point, 6, I really do. Reading your excerpt above it seems that most of our "everyday" terms used to be medical terms from many years ago. E.g. idiot, stupid and so on. These terms were probably used at that time as insults to people aswell and, like today, may have been deemed offensive to some.

Perhaps in 100 years the term retarded will be thought of along the same lines as "stupid" or "idiot" and will be acceptable. Doesn't make it any less offensive today though...

Well while I wouldn't poke fun at anyone with a disability it does seem that we do have a ready supply of words that whether used intentionally or no - denigrate the mentally ill. Surely the offence lies in the intent behind those words, rather than in any one specific term.

Again I see your point. My point (and the OP's I guess!) is that by continuing to use this word, it is perpetuating the idea that it is okay to use medical terms for the mentally challenged as an insult for people who do not suffer such problems themselves.

Maybe it IS overly politically correct, may be it isn't, but in the end it doesn't do anyone any favours.

That's part of it, definitely. I have always had a problem with that word. The n-word and other derogatory terms have been deemed unacceptable in today's society, why can't this one?

What should we say to people with mental challenges like my sister-in-law's niece when someone uses that word around her, either to describe her or to insult someone else? "Oh, Keira, don't worry, they don't mean it, they're just joking". Really?

[JODO 2]

retarded!retarded!retarded!retarded!retarded!retarded!retarded!retarded!retarded!retarded!retarded!retarded!retarded!retarded!retarded!retarded!retarded!retarded!retarded!retarded!retarded!retarded!retarded!retarded!retarded!retarded!retarded!retarded!retarded!retarded!retarded!retarded!retarded!retarded!retarded!retarded!retarded!retarded!retarded!retarded!retarded!retarded!retarded!retarded!retarded!retarded!retarded!retarded!retarded!retarded!retarded!retarded!retarded!retarded!retarded!retarded!retarded!retarded!retarded!retarded!retarded!retarded!retarded!retarded!retarded!retarded!retarded!retarded!retarded!retarded!retarded!retarded!retarded!retarded!retarded!retarded!retarded!retarded!retarded!retarded!retarded!retarded!retarded!retarded!retarded!retarded!retarded!retarded!retarded!retarded!retarded!retarded!retarded!retarded!retarded!retarded!v

so what other nicknames did you have in high school?

[Sinergy 3]

i dont think DEMANDING ppl to stop using a word is any more mature than ppl using the word.

and its just a word, theres nothing wrong with it, its a problem when ppl see or hear the word and think of it being used as bad thing, its another thing to realise its just a word and you cant tell ppl what words to use when they talk. i say f**ktard and tard or retarded alot, i surely dont associate it with the mentally challenged. retarded can also mean dorky or stupid acting, NOT NESSISARILY mentally challenged. if you have a prob with the word, thats fine, but you cant tell ppl not to use it.

Edited October 16, 2007 by Ionescu

[JohnK 0]

Maybe it IS overly politically correct

Yes it is. I walk with a limp sometimes but I don't get all pissed off when I hear the words "crippled" or "lame".

[Ban Hammer 14,023]

i dont think DEMANDING ppl to stop using a word is any more mature than ppl using the word.

and its just a word, theres nothing wrong with it, its a problem when ppl see or hear the word and think of it being used as bad thing, its another thing to realise its just a word and you cant tell ppl what words to use when they talk. i say f**ktard and tard or retarded alot, i surely dont associate it with the mentally challenged. retarded can also mean dorky or stupid acting, NOT NESSISARILY mentally challenged. if you have a prob with the word, thats fine, but you cant tell ppl not to use it.

and then there is the word "ionescued" which means someone got their panties in a bunch.