Well, it looks like I’m going to have to use “retarded” more often.
From dictionary.com’s annual post about what words we’re supposed to not use now.
Dumb
SEE DEFINITION
The word dumb is very old and very common. You’ve likely heard it millions of times as a way of talking about a joke or movie someone didn’t like, or describing something that was seen as boring, uninteresting, or unintelligent. Perhaps you’ve even used it this way yourself. Dumb was first recorded before the year 1000. It’s related to the Old Norse dumbr, Gothic dumbs, Old Saxon dumb, Old High German tump, and German dumm, and it originally meant “lacking the power of speech” or “temporarily unable to speak.”Historically, people who could not hear or speak were sometimes labeled deaf and dumb or deaf-mute. This usage is no longer common, but the history and association remains. As a result, the way we use dumb today is often problematic and potentially insulting. It stigmatizes differently abled people and creates an association between physical disabilities and intelligence or worthiness. There are plenty of better and more appropriate words we could say instead.
Other verboten verbosities include “crazy,” “tribe,” and “OCD.” How “lame” is that?
4 Comments
Hmmm. I’m as un-PC as they come but I can see and appreciate the power of words and how they can heal as well as hurt so I try to be sensitive out of never wanting to hurt or upset others. I never use the word retarded for instance. I think in a face to face conversation others are able to sense our tone and if we use a descriptive word in a certain way whether or not we meant it in a way that was supposed to be offensive. But in these times many, many people strive to find things to be offended by so that they can appear virtuous.
Sure, context plays into it. 99% of the time I’ll say “retard” if it comes to mind; it was part of my everyday vocabulary growing up. Or I will mockingly use a PC term. Situational awareness is important.
Well, I use the word “retarded” to refer to something that has been physically slowed down. For example, the ignition timing on a motor can be retarded, so that it doesn’t run right. When working in public school, it still shows up in the clinical literature, but you aren’t allowed to use that word for someone who isn’t up to the normal educational pace. We are told to say, “developmentally delayed” or something like that. But then I would jokingly say to the other teachers and staff that some hyper sensitive stuff sounds “retarded” to me. Heh. I don’t do that kind of work any more.
“Developmentally delayed” feels more accurate than “retarded,” just given the context and how “retarded” is used now. I’m not as mechanically inclined as I should be, so “retarded” only comes to mind in the slang usage.
Did you ever get blowback from other teachers?