The insult "retard"

**Neesy** · December 5th, 2012

Originally Posted by kingricefan

Hi, Shasta! You do bring up a good point. I loathe the word (c) you have cited, along with the 'f' word that rhymes with maggot. But, you're right, why don't we get more upset when someone uses the 'd' or 'p' word? I don't know, the 'c' word just really seems a much more vulgar term than the other two words.

Do you remember the movie "Porky's" (giving away my age here) as in "Mike Hunt on the phone" phone prank? I do not care one way or the other for this word. I think we give it more strength by not using it (?) so that it's more shocking.

**Evil Queen** · December 5th, 2012

Two other words have never been in my vocabulary and never will be - the "n" word and the "c" word. Yes, they are "just words", but they are ugly words and they are meant to hurt or put people down.

They're not in my vocabulary either, I sincerely despise those words.

**Todash** · December 5th, 2012

Originally Posted by Neesy

Do you remember the movie "Porky's" (giving away my age here) as in "Mike Hunt on the phone" phone prank? I do not care one way or the other for this word. I think we give it more strength by not using it (?) so that it's more shocking.

I know I'm in the minority, probably, but ... I don't really like swears in general. And linguistically, I think it is important for any language to have words it considers shocking. Because words express concepts, and I think it is important that societally, there are concepts we consider shocking. It's also important to have concepts we consider sacred. What would we use to express both of those things if not words?

I also think that people who swear for the effect and then gripe that it should not be considered a big deal are not thinking clearly. If it's not a big deal, then why do you have to swear?

**Moderator** · December 5th, 2012

why do you have to swear

It's cathartic and I've learned to do it when there's the time and the place for it. Just speaking personally, but after stubbing my toe to the point that I'm seeing spots, uttering a "golly, gee, did that hurt" just doesn't express my feelings the same way a "f*ck, f*ck, mother f*ck that hurts!" does.

**Moderator** · December 5th, 2012

P.S. However, I would not say that (out loud) had I stubbed my toe in public. Time and place, you know.

**Todash** · December 5th, 2012

Originally Posted by Moderator

It's cathartic and I've learned to do it when there's the time and the place for it. Just speaking personally, but after stubbing my toe to the point that I'm seeing spots, uttering a "golly, gee, did that hurt" just doesn't express my feelings the same way a "f*ck, f*ck, mother f*ck that hurts!" does.

My point exactly!! Those words ARE different from other words. They just ARE.

Also ... I know right?

Just 'cause I don't like swearing doesn't mean I never do it.

**kingricefan** · December 5th, 2012

Originally Posted by Moderator

It's cathartic and I've learned to do it when there's the time and the place for it. Just speaking personally, but after stubbing my toe to the point that I'm seeing spots, uttering a "golly, gee, did that hurt" just doesn't express my feelings the same way a "f*ck, f*ck, mother f*ck that hurts!" does.

**Shasta** · December 5th, 2012

Originally Posted by Moderator

P.S. However, I would not say that (out loud) had I stubbed my toe in public. Time and place, you know.

I couldn't agree with you guys more. I used to have the mouth of a Marine (having grown up with one) and I would cuss all of the time with the mentality that they are just words. It's the one thing my husband really hated that I do. Well, as I get older I seem to like it less and less in public. Yes, they are just words. But I will go out to lunch with my boss and my coworker on a fairly regular basis and they cuss up a storm. It's really rather tacky. I don't want to be tacky!

But I DO love a good motherf*ck when it's needed!

**kingricefan** · December 5th, 2012

Originally Posted by Shasta

I couldn't agree with you guys more. I used to have the mouth of a Marine (having grown up with one) and I would cuss all of the time with the mentality that they are just words. It's the one thing my husband really hated that I do. Well, as I get older I seem to like it less and less in public. Yes, they are just words. But I will go out to lunch with my boss and my coworker on a fairly regular basis and they cuss up a storm. It's really rather tacky. I don't want to be tacky!

But I DO love a good motherf*ck when it's needed!

There is a wonderful scene in the movie 'Dog Fight', between River Phoenix and Lily Taylor that is absolutely hilarious/adorable, when they are out on a 'date' and he been cussing up a storm. She doesn't 'truck' with that, at all!