+595 The word "retard" is actually really offensive to mentally handicapped people, and shouldn't be used when talking about something that is stupid or lame. amirite?

by Anonymous 13 years ago

Thank you for posting this! I havea brother who is mentally handicapped and it just bugs me to hear this word.

by Anonymous 13 years ago

Me, too! like, that's just insinuating that being handicapped is dumb or stupid, and that's not the case at all! a lot of special needs people are actually really smart !

by Anonymous 13 years ago

u just insulted people who r lame by saying lame

by Anonymous 13 years ago

if that's the case, then I just insulted people who are stupid, as well. unfortunately, i never called anything "lame", so sorry to burst your bubble :)

by Anonymous 13 years ago

Maybe we shouldn't call people stupid either, because mentally handicapped people are technically stupid with their low IQ, and god forbid we offend somebody in this world. Shut up and stop being so politically correct.

by Anonymous 13 years ago

Y@231388 (Anonymous): You, my friend, obviously knows no one that is mentally handicapped. Or maybe you do, and you're incredibly ignorant.

by Anonymous 13 years ago

I'm ignorant because I realize that to be a "retard" you have to have an IQ at 80 or below, which in turn means they are stupid. I'm just saying if you want to say retard offensive, you should say stupid is offensive, or how about stop calling people ignorant, because that could potentially be offensive to actual ignorant people. Words are words, and if you're going to try to cut one down, might as well cut them all down. Otherwise get off your high horse and realize words are words and we're not actually making fun of retarded people. And again, stop being so politically correct, people should be able to say whatever they want without having people shout and lecture them about how "offensive" it is. It wouldn't be so offensive if you weren't so damn sensitive.

by Anonymous 13 years ago

omg you are my hero! people that get offended need to calm down they are trying to run the world saying nobody can ever get there feelings hurt or its a crime wtf i'm with you 100%

by Anonymous 13 years ago

When something in music drastically slows down it is called "retarding". So is that offensive to mentally handicapped people to? I guess Beethoven and Bach were just really inconsiderate people having "retard" written on all of their symphonies.

by Anonymous 13 years ago

Haha, MAN that would be a good argument. Too bad it's actually called "ritarding", when it slows down. That's where the word "retard" is derived from, not the other way around.

by Anonymous 13 years ago

it's called a ritard....

by Anonymous 13 years ago

We've established that, thanks xD

by Anonymous 13 years ago

My Retarded Friend doesn't think that.

by Anonymous 13 years ago

Fuck you, words can have more than one definition. If you can't grasp that concept, then no matter your intelligence, you're retarded. Also I can say what I want, and I refuse to be censored by some ignorant douche on the Internet, 1st Amendment and shit.

by Anonymous 13 years ago

"fuck you" is not the best beginning of a comment trying to get others to see the opposite point.

by Anonymous 13 years ago

Words can have more than one definition, but you're not using a different definition when calling somebody a retard. You're trying to imply that they're acting like they're mentally retarded. And I agree with KCI, "fuck you" is definitely not the way to get your point heard. It only makes you sound unintelligent, which makes me discredit your point immediately. And you know what else? You *can* say what you want, but why exactly would you want to say something offensive when there are plenty of other words that get the point across just as well? By the way, I'm pretty sure the OP *can* grasp that concept, but it really doesn't apply here, like I said above. And, I'd love to hear your explanation as to how she's an ignorant douche.

by Anonymous 13 years ago

nicely said(:

by Anonymous 13 years ago

As much as I LOVE being an ignorant douche, I'd like to hear the reasoning behind that, as well. You're very right.

by Anonymous 13 years ago

re·tard   to make slow; delay the development or progress of (an action, process, etc.); hinder or impede "Political turmoil and fractious, backward cultures retard development of the infrastructure required for economic growth" Oh shit, I just used retard in a sentence that is non offensive to the mentally handicapped.

by Anonymous 13 years ago

I think we all know what she was talking about, and don't need super literal comments like that. Thanks.

by Anonymous 13 years ago

Umm... no. Words can have more than one definition.

by Anonymous 13 years ago

Okay, yes, but when you're calling someone a "retard", you're not using a separate definition.

by Anonymous 13 years ago

"stop being so politically correct" really?, wtf?

by Anonymous 13 years ago

Do you even know what being politically correct means? Because if you did you would understand what they were talking about.

by Anonymous 13 years ago

I agree with this. It really bugs me when people use it in that way. And when it slows in music, it's a ritardando.

by Anonymous 13 years ago

Ritardando is an Italian word, guess what one of the direct translations is? (Not meaning to be offensive or sarcastic, just pointing it out :])

by Anonymous 13 years ago

Yes, but we don't use the translations. Sheet music says ritardando, not "delaying" which is the translation. We don't use "strong" instead of forte or "considered" instead of ritenuto because it's the way the music is written.

by Anonymous 13 years ago

Like I said, just pointing it out just in case someone didn't realize that for...whatever reason.

by Anonymous 13 years ago

Haha yeah..

by Anonymous 13 years ago

i hate when people say "that's / you're retarded " or "that's / you're gay" and most of all the use of the word faggot, i have bo tolerance for that type of stuff.

by Anonymous 13 years ago

Me too.

by Anonymous 13 years ago

When we say that stuff, we don't mean to offend the mentally handicapped people. That's like trying to get people to stop saying stupid because it offends stupid people, or idiot because it offends idiots. We use it in a playful way that should not be taken to offense. I am sorry if it offends people, but I shall still continue to use it, freedom of speech FTW.

by Anonymous 13 years ago

Thank you for this. Someone very close to me has a mental disability, and when I hear people throwing words like "retard" around, I die a little inside. It really hurts, because I have a pretty condescending view of people who are ignorant, and when someone I like uses that term or something similar, I'm like, "Why did you have to go and ruin my opinion of you?" It's such a shame.

by Anonymous 13 years ago

As well as faggot being used as an insult. First off it means homosexual. Second off its not bad to be homosexual so even if it was used for its real meaning it shouldn't be an insult.

by Anonymous 13 years ago

If you think about it, any word could be really offensive, if used properly. Should we all just stop talking?

by Anonymous 13 years ago

I think your argument is specious. Sure, any word may be able to be used offensively, does that mean that we should all say whatever the hell we want and not care if people are offended?

by Anonymous 13 years ago

Yes. Fact: You can't go through life without being offended in some way shape or form because everybody has a different opinion that you may not agree with. So... Suck it up.

by Anonymous 13 years ago

Retarded is actually the scientific term for it, believe it or not. Though it is best not to call people that weather or not they actually are.

by Anonymous 13 years ago

That's not what the post is saying. It's saying using "retarded" to describe something that's stupid or lame is insulting to people who are actually mentally retarded. A person with a handicapmay be retarded, but is a stupid video game retarded as well? No. If we just use the term "retarded" when talking about people with disabilities, there are no problems. It's when you start calling people who aren't AND talking about generally lame stuff being "retarded" that there's a problem.

by Anonymous 13 years ago

I just love how no one leaving a comment here actually has a mental handycap, because i do. Miraculously, it somehow doesnt effect my ability to understand words can have two definitions. All of you people who are "defending" those handicapped people close to you: YOU DONT KNOW HOW THEY FEEL, so stop using that as an arguement. Its just a word, and i dont even think of it applying to me until someone calls it offensive. its not at all, so stop being so politically correct. no one cares.

by Anonymous 13 years ago

how do you know if anyone here has loved ones or are themeselves handicap? , just wondering.

by Anonymous 13 years ago

cause i read the comments and most people said that they know someone with one, or some such. that still doesnt mean they know how that person feels. im not saying im representative of everyone with a handycap, but at least im actually going off my own experiences as someone with one.

by Anonymous 13 years ago

some people who read this post and commented may not want say if they have a physical or learning disability or that they know someone with one if it's a parent or sibling trust me you know how hard it is , so yeah they do know how that person is feeling on some levels.

by Anonymous 13 years ago

on some levels being the key words here. youre not going to convince me that you can ever, 100%, feel or experience something by knowing someone else that has. if your friend becomes a doctor, then tells you about what her schooling was like, are you now a certified doctor? no.

by Anonymous 13 years ago

completly missed my point, it doesn't matter what you think well at least to me it doesn't ,so good day(:

by Anonymous 13 years ago

erm okay. i just have to say, thanks for being one of those people that can argue without using cuss words and instead a thought out arguement.

by Anonymous 13 years ago

for sure(:, and i don't look at it as a argument but more as a difference of opinion(:

by Anonymous 13 years ago

Politically correct? riddle me this; have you ever been personally targeted for being mentally handicapped? Or been messed with to the point of not being able to control your emotions or actions for it? If so, I can't see any reason why you wouldn't be at least SOMEWHAT weary (is it wary?) of the term being used to describe something that is less than satisfactory.

by Anonymous 13 years ago

Ive certainly had my share of people making fun of me, expeshally because i mostly attend regular classes. the thing is, ive learned to shrug it off. people make fun of me because im diffrent and they dont understad or are scared by it. sure, ive had classmates point at me more than once and call me names; but i know that im smart in other ways and talented, so it doesnt matter to me. when people say things like "oh that shirt is retarded" i dont think "oh they mean that shirt is ugly, so they mean that im ugly. theyre personally attacking me" no, because im not hyper sensitive.

by Anonymous 13 years ago

I can't believe people actually voted "No Way"...that is sad... And for all those people who are saying "stop being politically correct. no one cares." I care if it means that someone isn't being made fun of.

by Anonymous 13 years ago

the point is that youre being overly sensitive about the word. thats all it is, a word. people use them all the time. build a bridge, get over it.

by Anonymous 13 years ago

the word handicap is also slightly offensive. and to batmanVszombies. im mentally retarded and i hate when people say that. stop comparing me to these idiots. i hate that word.

by Anonymous 13 years ago

dude, im using that to describe myself too. what term do you use? its basically the same thing. something is blocking you from preforming some task: so its a handycap. im not saying its a bad thing.

by Anonymous 13 years ago

Raise your hand if you've used the word "dumb" before. Raise your hand if you knew that dumb used to only mean unable to speak (as in mute). Words change meaning over time, "retard" and "gay" weren't used 100 years ago, but now they have completely different meanings and also more than one meaning. Etymology is a slippery slope.

by Anonymous 13 years ago

I understand your point... but I really don't buy that they're using different definitions when using "retard" and "gay" offensively. When using retard, they mean that you're acting like you're mentally retarded (that is, they're acting stupid). When using gay, they mean that the other person is less of a man, and by using it as an insult, the person who is calling the "gay" one out reaffirms their masculinity, while threatening the other person's. This, in my opinion, just creates a generation of intolerance and homophobes who learn that being gay or retarded is the worst thing in the world, and those who are gay or retarded deserve either pity or are disgusting and shouldn't be valued.

by Anonymous 13 years ago

Of course that's how using those terms offensively started, but I would almost guarantee that a large majority of people who use the word "retard" don't hate mentally handicapped people. People understand more about and empathize more with retarded people than they ever have in history. I admit it's not nearly the same as with gay people, but homosexuality being accepted and the use of "gay" or "faggot" are both becoming more mainstream at the same time, so your argument that they're popular BECAUSE more people hate homosexuals or the mentally handicapped makes no sense. My point with dumb was that words evolve. The first person who used dumb offensively probably did not like mutes, but hundreds of years later there's no correlation. Even though it hasn't been as long, gay and retard are just becoming synonyms for stupid and idiot with no regard for their "other" meaning even if that's how it started.

by Anonymous 13 years ago

The etymology does come into play with some words, but when using words such as... "dumb", there are very, very few people who still use those terms to describe someone who is mute. However, the word "retard" and "gay" are still used to describe someone who is mentally handicapped or homosexual. And for all of those that are saying that people are dumb because they are mentally handicapped, because of a low IQ, that's not ALWAYS the case. There are just as many people with very high intelligence that are still mentally handicapped as there are with low intelligence. for example, many mentally handicapped people are smart, they just have trouble conveying it through their motor skills, or transferring information from one side of the brain to the other.

by Anonymous 13 years ago

I will still say that even though people use the word "retard" and "gay" for both their actual meanings and their offensive meanings, it isn't used with intentional malice. It may have started out with someone who hates retarded people, but the way it's used today actually has nothing to do with retarded people. Would you or anyone else have thought twice about using "lame" in a post if it hadn't been hypocritical? No, because lame is an acceptable word in society. Retard is at the point where both definitions are still used, but aren't related. Just because you use retard, doesn't mean you hate the handicapped. "Retard" is at an awkward stage in its word life (basically it's a pimply 14 year old with a crackly voice).

by Anonymous 13 years ago

LOL. You said "Lame". That's insulting to lame people!

by Anonymous 13 years ago

I think a few people are missing the point. Sure, I saw a "retarded" kid at the supermarket the other day. My grandma's second cousin's brother twice removed is "retarded". but it's when you use it in the context of something being negative, as in "this test is retarded" or "it's retarded that I can't get any money", you're implying that being retarded is a bad/negative thing. Anyone who is close to or has a mentally handicapped family member knows that it's not a BAD thing to be that way, just different. Maybe more difficult, but not BAD. That's all I'm saying.

by Anonymous 13 years ago

I have plenty of my own mental handicaps, and have dated not one, but a few people with handicaps. Not a single one of us give a whit about people using 'retarded' to describe something as stupid. I refuse Lame because even though I was raised in the 80's, when 'lame' was the word to use, it still originated as someone or some being unable to walk. If you wish to continue this debate, then kindly remove 'lame' as a synonym for stupid. It is not, by dictionary definition. In the course of seeking political correctness over a word, please use all other words involved correctly. As I said, I and my exes don't care about people using such words. We use them ourselves, and in the same manner the others do. I bid you good day.

by Anonymous 13 years ago

Man, I typed up this whole long reply to that and I accidentally canceled it. But what I was saying, chill out with the condescending attitude. I'm not trying to say I'm right and you're wrong, that's just my personal opinion. You're right about the word "lame", and for that I apologize. That may be some ignorance on my part, and I acknowledge it. I'm not in any position to tell you what you should or shouldn't take offense to, but when someone uses the word retard or retarded to describe something in a derogatory sense, I personally think it IS indeed ignorant to use it in that form. I am very close to several severely handicapped people, and they DO take offense when those words are used. I don't know about you as an individual, but many special needs people realize that their condition is used to describe something negative. That's all I'm saying. w

by Anonymous 13 years ago

well, this would be a site for determining who's right, amirite? Thank you for the acknowledgment of the 'lame' incident though. I would just like for you to see that while you and others may have problems with the word, still others don't. That is one thing I'd really like for you to consider . . . is it affecting every one of us that way? no. It is affecting some of us, and to those particular people, I'd say the community should watch it's tongue. To those who aren't bothered, the community can loosen up.

by Anonymous 13 years ago

well, if handicapped people take it as an offence, they should really think it over. they should be proud of what they were born as and should learn to be comfortable with it.

by Anonymous 13 years ago

Lol "lame" isn't exactly the best alternative either cuz then you're just insulting cripples, right? Haha.

by Anonymous 13 years ago

you're right, you really are. So, with everyone on here as my witness, I edit my original post. The word "retard" is actually really offensive to mentally handicapped people, and shouldn't be used when talking about something that is NEGATIVE or unpleasant. How's that? :)

by Anonymous 13 years ago

ok clearly if the person is actually retarded they dont know it or what the word means so no they don't take it offensively....

by Anonymous 13 years ago

Clearly? Clearly you don't know what you're talking about. Do you really think mentally handicapped people don't REALIZE that they're being made fun of and degraded? My best friend's sister has a rare genetic disorder (called coffin-siris syndrome, which causes mental retardation and other physical handicaps) and she is very aware of people making fun of her, and she is well aware that she is different. I've spent a great deal of time with her and she is one of the most humble and nicest people I have ever met. And yet, she still gets ridiculed from time to time and she KNOWS why. So I would suggest not making a comment like that EVER again, if you value others' perception of your intelligence. Because you obviously have NO IDEA.

by Anonymous 13 years ago

nobody is pointing at her making fun of her and laughing at her for her disability. when you say someone is acting retarded you're saying they are acting stupidly like maybe with someone with an IQ of less than 80 which is what clarifies if you're 'retarded' or not

by Anonymous 13 years ago

and why would you assume that people are not doing that? sure, an IQ less than 80 determines if you're "technically" 'retarded', but the word has branched out to mean anyone with a physical or mental disability.

by Anonymous 13 years ago

if people truely are mocking her by pointing and laughing then i am very sorry thats rediculous on those peoples part. however you're saying it branched to mean anyone with physical or mental disability...it also branched to mean someone acting stupidly how about that

by Anonymous 13 years ago

people arent saying things are retarded to offend retards. i have a friend and his brother is mentally retarded and believe it or not, he calls things retarded all the time. even his mental brother calls things retarded! people need to realize that this has become a slang word and that one post will not change anyones opinion.

by Anonymous 13 years ago

I think It's foolish to insult someone and not expect someone to feel bad. That's sort of the concept of an insult.

by Anonymous 13 years ago

It seems now that the word 'retard' has changed in definition. Apparently now it's politically incorrect to call mentally retarded people retarded. At least, that's why I got detention last year.

by Anonymous 13 years ago

Lame could offend someone who can't walk. Stupid could offend someone who isn't the brightest crayon in the box. Gay could offend a homosexual person...so tell me, if we can't say retarded, or lame, or gay, or stupid, what can we say?

by Anonymous 13 years ago

That's a really good question. I wish I had an answer. Myself, I don't care what word we use.

by Anonymous 13 years ago

I feel bad because I use that word a lot. But I actually prefer calling those people mentally handicapped. But I can totally see how it's offensive.

by Anonymous 13 years ago

People are pussies nowadays. Every word is offensive to somebody and I'm getting tired of always hearing about it. Man up and stop taking everything so literally.

by Anonymous 13 years ago

exactly. it's like those bleeding hearts that made it illegal/politically incorrect to say "playpen" you have to call them "play yards" now. it's so retarded. woops! did i just say that?

by Anonymous 13 years ago

political correct is in quotations as in a quote someone else said "stop being politically correct" so yeah, i get the argument, read all the comments before posting things like such. bye.

by Anonymous 13 years ago

Umm it's called a reply button, you can do the same shit on your phone too with replying to a certain comment so you don't have to post WAAAAY at the bottom like a retard. And if you understand what the word means then why are you complaining about it? It's a perfectly valid reason, people shouldn't get offended over stupid things. That's the very definition of somebody who's politically correct.

by Anonymous 13 years ago

riiiiight. feel better?, enjoy your night sweetie(:

by Anonymous 13 years ago

I do feel better, thanks (= And I am enjoying my night, especially since you couldn't respond to my question...bc that means you can't think of a decent answer!

by Anonymous 13 years ago

really? have you ever talked to a mentally handicapped person? I honestly think this is just politically correct nonsense

by Anonymous 13 years ago

Hahaha. are some of you really that dense to STILL not understand what the subject of the post is?? It has nothing to do with political correctness, it has to do with using a word that is ORIGINALLY meant to mean someone or something with a mental handicap, something that these people can't help, to describe something that is unsatisfactory to you. Most people won't get offended if you refer to someone that is slow or has a handicap as "retarded", because that's what it's *originally supposed to mean*. Doesn't have anything to do with political correctness, I'm starting to think that some of ya just enjoy using that phrase whenever you feel like it. :P

by Anonymous 13 years ago

I enjoy using your mom whenever I feel like it.

by Anonymous 13 years ago

Don't worry, im sure she enjoys it too ;D

by Anonymous 13 years ago

hahaha everyone needs a chill pill goodness! retard is just two syllables put together...get over it

by Anonymous 13 years ago

(ow-ow-chica-bangbang): you're obviously not close to anyone with a handicap, or you'd understand that it is two syllables of ignorance.

by Anonymous 13 years ago

hmm i like the controversy this stirred up, i do agree with the post but also i feel you shouldn't have used the word lame either because technically, although it isn't widely used, it is another a way of saying retarded

by Anonymous 13 years ago

the OP used the word lame, now with her same logic couldn't that be offensive to physically handicapped people?

by Anonymous 13 years ago

Yeah, I shouldn't have said lame. if you'll scroll up a little I acknowledge that. :) My bad.

by Anonymous 13 years ago

Actually, doesn't lame mean that you don't have use in one of your limbs or appendages? I don't think that's the same as retarded, but still, I shouldn't have said it.

by Anonymous 13 years ago

lame is a person or animal who is debilitated to the point of being unable to walk properly.

by Anonymous 13 years ago

I'm gonna have to disagree with you and all of your sexiness maggot, to a degree anyway. Just tossing the word around makes no sense, but calling someone who isn't handicapped 'retarded' does make sense. The true meaning of retard is 'slow'. If someone were to take a bit longer than someone else on a math problem, they would be retarded because they were slower on it.

by Anonymous 13 years ago

Maybe so, but I've never actually seen someone called retarded because they were slow on something. And the word retard, is by definition an "often offensive" term. So even if you were using it in the right form of the word, it's still meant to offend those directed at.

by Anonymous 13 years ago

To the OP: you just used 'lame' as a term for 'uncool' and thats very offensive to people who actually can't walk.

by Anonymous 13 years ago

i'm aware of this, see my above comments. thanks for pointing that out.

by Anonymous 13 years ago

To be retarded is to be delayed or held back in terms of progress, development, or accomplishment. How this is offensive to people who are mentally disabled/handicapped is BEYOND me. Because being called disabled or handicapped is so much better? REALLY?

by Anonymous 12 years ago