The insult "retard"

**Todash** · November 27th, 2012

Originally Posted by blunthead

To me this expression has for some reason sounded synonymous with "that's so high" or "you're so high". I'm not saying that I think "gays" are high, nor that quotation marks are demeaning or even very necessary.

I think if you're gay you have to say so, and if you're high you have to be careful who you tell.

I think sometimes highness equals inaneness and sometimes it equals brilliance and sometimes it equals a Queen. Or a Prince.

I don't completely understand this post, but I grok it enough to grasp the sheer awesomeness of it.

**blunthead** · November 27th, 2012

Originally Posted by Todash

I don't completely understand this post, but I grok it enough to grasp the sheer awesomeness of it.

**Dana Jean** · November 27th, 2012

Words have the power we give them. What is no big deal to use for one, is a very big deal to another. I use all words equally, and I definitely put my foot in it all the time. A lot of how a word is used is the context. I can definitely laugh at words used in humor; and I am livid when the same word is used in anger or meanness.

I only have one word that I personally find offensive each and every time it's used. It doesn't matter if it's used in humor or in meanness, I loathe this word. Just one. And, I am smart enough to now if someone's intention is humor or ugliness and I process it accordingly.

I have only heard this word used in anger. There is a lot of hate when I've heard this word. And I've been called this word by people who supposedly love me.

**kingricefan** · November 27th, 2012

Originally Posted by Moderator

I think you know how I feel about gays and homosexuality, KRF, so hope you will take this in the context it's intended, but I have to take issue with your comment about making up a new meaning for the word gay. There was a time (at least where I grew up) when gay meant to be happy and had nothing to do with one's sexual preference. Just sayin'. That's not in any way defending using the word as meaning stupid, just pointing out that it's not the first time that word has been redefined.

You speak true, no harm, no foul.

**LongTallSally** · November 27th, 2012

When I was growing up, 'retard' was a word that could get you into trouble at school. I'm 44 and I KNEW as a child that you didn't use that word. Some of the other kids in school tried to circumvent the rules and started saying 'retread' instead. I'm a mechanic's kid so I kept asking what it had to do with putting new treads on tires. Name calling is just not fun.

**Becks19** · November 28th, 2012

Name calling is just not fun.

And some, go beyond name calling.http://www.wdtn.com/dpp/news/ohio/oh...l#.ULYD-MvNmSo

**Todash** · November 28th, 2012

Originally Posted by LadyPain

When I was growing up, 'retard' was a word that could get you into trouble at school. I'm 44 and I KNEW as a child that you didn't use that word. Some of the other kids in school tried to circumvent the rules and started saying 'retread' instead. I'm a mechanic's kid so I kept asking what it had to do with putting new treads on tires. Name calling is just not fun.

You know ... I don't actually remember people using it at school. I really only remember hearing it in the past few decades. Oh well. That's the Midwest for you, behind on everything. I'm surprised (but thankful) that I'm not seeing acid wash jeans and mall bangs everywhere around me.

**kingricefan** · November 28th, 2012

Originally Posted by Becks19

And some, go beyond name calling.http://www.wdtn.com/dpp/news/ohio/oh...l#.ULYD-MvNmSo

At least he apologized! Not alot of info in the article, he says he was only reacting to something said about his son, but it didn't say what, so can't really make a judgement here.

**Dana Jean** · November 29th, 2012

I am watching a 2007 (Marriage Deal Breakers) Dr. Phil show as I write this. He has used "retarded" twice since I've been watching. In context, he's using the word to designate someone being stupid. He is not labeling a whole group of people. The use doesn't bother me, but I understand that the use bothers others.

I think a lot of how and when a word is used has to do with your audience. We must be sensitive to who is listening.

**Shasta** · November 29th, 2012

Originally Posted by Dana Jean

I am watching a 2007 (Marriage Deal Breakers) Dr. Phil show as I write this. He has used "retarded" twice since I've been watching. In context, he's using the word to designate someone being stupid. He is not labeling a whole group of people. The use doesn't bother me, but I understand that the use bothers others.

I think a lot of how and when a word is used has to do with your audience. We must be sensitive to who is listening.

I personally feel that what he's doing is in turn labeling mentally challenged people as stupid. When you call someone who is dumb (or makes dumb choices) retarded you are in fact in turn calling metally retarded people stupid. And believe me, they aren't. I think that's why people have an issue with it.