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Sian

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« on: June 26, 2006, 04:27:50 pm »
This may seem like a silly question but is "retard"/"retardation" still a widely used term?

I always found it mildly offensive for some reason... I was just wondering whether or not it is politically correct .....

Sorry! :oops:
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« Reply #1 on: June 26, 2006, 04:31:34 pm »
No, you are correct, it is considered offensive now.  The "PC" term is "Mentally Challenged".  It is interesting that retard is offensive, even in it's textbook definition (to slow down), for instance "retard the fire"...
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« Reply #2 on: June 26, 2006, 04:35:05 pm »
It's not PC, strictly speaking.  Although we cynical, cruel, torturing, 'orrible, bastards in mental health have shortened it to, 'tards.  I hope that answers you query.
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« Reply #3 on: June 26, 2006, 04:37:00 pm »
Jesus, I've been wondering for weeks about that one!!!

I had my suspicions! Mentally challenged seems a bit vague though....
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« Reply #4 on: June 26, 2006, 04:40:26 pm »
Quote from: "Sian"
Jesus, I've been wondering for weeks about that one!!!

I had my suspicions! Mentally challenged seems a bit vague though....



Tony Blair is mentally challended

George W Bush is a retard
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serrena_de_singe
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« Reply #5 on: June 26, 2006, 04:52:07 pm »
We use "Developmentally Disabled" at work.  Well ... at least when the patients or the bosses are around, we do.
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« Reply #6 on: June 26, 2006, 04:52:45 pm »
it may not be pc.... but its fun to say. we say it every day at work about the kitchen help like "the little retarded people in the kitchen didn't send any health shakes . when you call up there ask to speak to an adult" lol
but we shoulden't say that word to those that are mentaly challanged that would be mean.
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« Reply #7 on: June 26, 2006, 05:08:20 pm »
Quote from: "Sian"
This may seem like a silly question but is "retard"/"retardation" still a widely used term?

 
 :


When my brother and I were kids we used to use retard or tard to classify everything stupid and call each other it.  It became such a nasty habit, that  I still say it today about people or stupid things, but it is so not PC, that it is embarrassing when it slips out now :oops: .
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« Reply #8 on: June 26, 2006, 07:45:48 pm »
The field is about to officially adopt the term "intellectual disability."  It will take a while, though (lots of old letterhead to go through first  :wink: ).
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serrena_de_singe
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« Reply #9 on: June 26, 2006, 07:48:51 pm »
Quote from: "Lynne"
The field is about to officially adopt the term "intellectual disability."  It will take a while, though (lots of old letterhead to go through first  :wink: ).


I really wish they'd just stick with one term.  It sucks to be PC one day and insulting the next when you were right the day before.  Ugh!!!  At least we're not calling the "window lickers" or "balloon heads."  Jeesh.
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« Reply #10 on: June 27, 2006, 12:25:13 am »
The word Retard as used in a derrogatory sense toward someone really sends me over the edge.  And I am quick to point out that we are all a bit retarded learning anything new.
As in, we are always a bit slow the first time we do anything new.

It's much like the word niggard.  Which also means to be stingy.  As in "that person is rather niggard with their money"

Sure, you can argue the spelling over niggard and niggered.  But, that is just semantics.

The other thing that unnerves me to the point of explosion is when people PURPOSELY talk and attempt to immitate those who are speech impaired or developmentally disabled.
I honestly want to slap the stupid smile and laughter from their faces, but more often, find a quirk of theirs to mimic myself and watch the smile fade fast.  Then ask how they feel.


To me, the words, retard, niggared, gay, fag, etc... are just words and should be used properly and not as some double entendred slur.
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« Reply #11 on: June 27, 2006, 05:33:54 am »
Well, I grew up with a family that used the word "fag" all the time, but it meant cigarette...  You should have seen the looks my dad got asking to "bum a fag, love".   Cheesy

Niggard was designed to be insulting, even though (surprisingly) "nigger" was not.  It derives from the Spanish word "negro", meaning simply "black".  It wasn't until more modern day (I think maybe in the 20's or 30's?) that it became a derogatory slang term.

Back to the word "retard", it's interesting to trace back how many languages it came from, all of which have the same rough definition (to slow down, impede).
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« Reply #12 on: June 27, 2006, 10:15:41 am »
What you say is correct, it's just that it was called polio and then the name changed to Cerebral Palsey.
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« Reply #13 on: June 27, 2006, 10:37:33 am »
In the rural areas here it seems to boil down to either Simple or Mental.
Although these words seem to come from a well of ignorance there is a ring of truth and honesty to them.
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bill door
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« Reply #14 on: June 27, 2006, 11:43:46 am »
Hang on....
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