Shape up, US papers, and don't be spazzes

[roger thornhill]

For those unfamiliar with the story because it was censored in the home of the brave by the fourth estate, eschewing its Bernsteinian principles of reporting the truth without fear or favour, here are extracts from an article by the Daily Telegraph's golf correspondent Lewine Mair, taken from the telegraphonline (subscription only, so no linkie):

US media cover up Tiger's Augusta gaffe

America's leading newspapers yesterday helped Tiger Woods evade controversy by ignoring his use of the word "spaz" to describe his poor putting in the final round of the Masters at Augusta.

Woods finished in a share of third place but had 33 putts in his round. Clearly annoyed, he said later: "As good as I hit it, that's as bad as I putted and it's frustrating, because I felt so in control of my ball from tee to green, and once I got on the green I was a spaz [spastic]."

The LA Times, changed the word to "wreck" while The New York Times, The Washington Post and The Boston Globe all expunged the word completely. Only two US sports news services ran his words in an unedited form.

Few will forget how he took umbrage when, after the 1997 Masters, Fuzzy Zoeller said that Woods would be serving chicken and collard greens, a typical Afro-American dish, at the 1998 champions' dinner.

Shame on you, LA Times! Changing words folks say would get you a suspension round here. Your confederates on the East Coast are just as spineless with their advertiser-centred attitude. At least now we know what "liberal" means.

[Catalyst]

Spaz is now offensive enough to edit out of a quote? When did this happen?

[Smeghead]

Spaz is now offensive enough to edit out of a quote? When did this happen?
I would eliminate everything from "enough" to the final question mark.

[Catalyst]

I would eliminate everything from "enough" to the final question mark.
Yeah, that works. I always saw it on par with dork or somesuch in terms of offensiveness—barely at all, in other words.

[Dead Badger]

Roger Thornhill emanates from the UK, I believe, where "spastic" is indeed a much more offensive term than in the USA. It seems to me to have fallen out of use somewhat, possibly since the Spastic Society (a charity for children with cerebral palsy) changed its name to "Scope" (or possibly because I've left school :)). Regardless, over here it's an pretty derogatory term due to its association with said disability, while AIUI in the States its colloquial meaning is much more closely related to its actual medical definition ("of or relating to spasms"). P'raps for the benefit of UK viewers, Tiger might have said "ataxic" instead.

Anyway, when I read this on the BBC I knew someone was going to kick up a fuss. I am surprised, however, that the LA Times saw fit to change the word, which seems a bit dubious on purely journalistic grounds.

[roger thornhill]

Indeed, I emanate from England (UK is such an ugly term) and, I hope, emanate wisdom. If spastic isn't so offensive to Sceptcs, then why did their eminent organs for disseminating the truth see fit to blue-pencil Woods, to put words into the Tiger's mouth? Don't make no sense. And not likely that anyone in the States would kick up a fuss, as the news of the censorship was itself censored.

[Jonathan Chance]

I find myself mystified by this one. 'Spaz' is not one of those words that would normally cause the blue pencil to come out. And, here in the States, I don't think it carries any more specific negative vibe than 'nerd' or 'dork' or somesuch.

Hell, one of the guy at my college proudly carried the nickname 'spaz' all through school. Insisted on being called that when introduced.

Weird.

[Dead Badger]

If spastic isn't so offensive to Sceptcs, then why did their eminent organs for disseminating the truth see fit to blue-pencil Woods, to put words into the Tiger's mouth?Well, as I say, I'm surprised by the LA Times' action; maybe they have an anglophilic sub-editor somewhere. As for the others, I just think it's because it's a longish quote with the good, snappy bit ("As good as I hit it, that's as bad as I putted") at the start. A few outlets (ESPN and USA Today, notably) seem to have quoted him in full, the rest just haven't bothered, not out of some new-found decorum, but because it's redundant and uninteresting. I certainly don't see any justification for the Telegraph (and Scotsman, and Independent, and Guardian) all trying to claim that the US media is somehow conspiring to cover up Tiger's "gaffe". I mean really, when did the US media ever conspire in such a co-ordinated manner to spare the blushes of a celebrity?

[Mellivora capensis]

Indeed, I emanate from England (UK is such an ugly term)...

"So, Tiger, what happened out there today?"

"Danged if I know, Bud. I was getting onto the danged greens in regulation, and then UK'd too many two footers. I felt a proper UK, I tell ya".

:p

[yojimbo]

Let's not forget the peson who came up with Spazz (http://www.planetmobility.com/store/wheelchairs/manual/colours/spazz/) wheelchairs :smack:

[JohnBckWLD]

Spaz is now offensive enough to edit out of a quote? When did this happen?1984?

[Podkayne]

FWIW, they played Woods's full statement on All Things Considered on NPR.

[Telemark]

I don't know if the general public realized just how many times sports writers make small changes to locker room quotes from other athletes. It's very common in the major team sports since the players tend to use colorful language in the locker room. The press is there, sticking mikes in the face of a pitcher who just gave up a walk off homerun, his quote might not be very PC.

Having said that, in the US I don't think many folks would think that using "spaz" is a gaffe. Most people wouldn't even understand the controversy.

[Squink]

Spaz is now offensive enough to edit out of a quote? When did this happen? This was the final straw (http://www.theonion.com/content/node/31910). See, it's no longer funny when someone dies.

[Kimstu]

I hadn't heard about the elimination of "spaz" from polite discourse either, but I welcome it, if only because it frees up room for some more enjoyable synonyms:

Klutz
Butterfingers
Clod
Clumsy oaf
Stumblebum
Lummox

Add your own!

Personally, I want to hear Tiger Woods say "klutz". Actually, I'd love to hear Tiger Woods say "Oy, was I a klutz!" but I guess you can't have everything.

Tiger only shared third place? Shoot. I was watching the earlier rounds and really hoping he'd win. But he's right, he was putting like a lummox, at least by Tiger Woods standards.

[Biggirl]

I'm curious. What does "spaz" mean in the UK? Ooops, I mean England?

[don't ask]

I'm curious. What does "spaz" mean in the UK? Ooops, I mean England?

Something like
this (http://www.thespasticcentre.org.au/) I imagine. Spasticity is even mentioned in American dictionaries.

[yojimbo]

It's use to insult someone. It's shorthand for spastic like calling someone a mongo(Down Syndrome).

Mostly IME "spa" is used.

[tagos]

I'm curious. What does "spaz" mean in the UK? Ooops, I mean England?

For me it is as offensive as 'nigger' and I was taken aback to see it in normal use in the USA. I'm 50 so it's probably an age thing.

[Guy Incongnito]

The L.A. Times didn't actually change the quote. They made it clear they were omitting a word by placing an alternate meaning in square brackets, which is the standard method.

Saying: "As good as I hit it, that's as bad as I putted and it's frustrating, because I felt so in control of my ball from tee to green, and once I got on the green I was a [wreck]" means "we omitted some words, the meaning of which amounts to 'wreck.'" The Times's action may have been cowardly, but it wasn't dishonest.

[Biggirl]

But is it used to describe someone who is a klutz like it is in the U.S.? Or maybe an offensive name to call the mentally disabled?


Who was it that said that England and the U.S. are seperated by a common language? We'll keep spaz and fanny. Bloody can still mean gory to us. Y'all can keep fag.

[RickJay]

Living in Canada, I've honestly never heard "Spaz" or "spastic" used to describe people with cerebral palsy. "Spaz" just means, well, a spaz; in my experience it was usually applied to either someone who was clumsy, or someone prone to really freaking out with a temper tantrum, like Steve Stemareens, who we called Steve Spazzareems because if things did not go his way in a road hockey game he'd hurl himself to the ground and just go berzerk.

It might be hideously offensive in the UK, but I'm quite certain Woods was referring to clumsiness, not a physical disability.

[smiling bandit]

[QUOTE=Biggirl]But is it used to describe someone who is a klutz like it is in the U.S.? Or maybe an offensive name to call the mentally disabled?[quote]

It just means someone who screws things up. Nothing more.

For the record, I despise media outlets which bowdlerize things, give dishonest or misleading translations, etc. People curse. Get over it.

[Otto]

"Spaz" is as offensive as "nigger"? That is so retarded.

I am now hearing the "Spaz...Spaz...Spaz..." chant from Meatballs in my head.

[Dead Badger]

But is it used to describe someone who is a klutz like it is in the U.S.? Or maybe an offensive name to call the mentally disabled?It is supposed to be a derogatory term to be aimed at someone who's just done something physically inept, but it's not so much offensive to the person it's aimed at (assuming they don't actually have cerebral palsy), but rather to the group it disparages by association (i.e. those who do have CP). Basically it has the same meaning as it does for you, but with an extra, nastier twang.

[Campion]

I am surprised, however, that the LA Times saw fit to change the word, which seems a bit dubious on purely journalistic grounds.The unspoken assumption in this statement is that the LA Times has some connection to "journalism." I can assure you that the only thing that the LA Times invariably reports correctly is whether there is a sale at the Robinsons-May. Since approximately 80% of the paper is advertising, they take their business very, very seriously.

If the LA Times indeed changed the word, my guess is that they couldn't figure out how to spell it, not because they believed it to be offensive.

[eleanorigby]

It's use to insult someone. It's shorthand for spastic like calling someone a mongo(Down Syndrome).

Mostly IME "spa" is used.


And this is the first I've ever heard of "mongo". We call Down's Syndrome folk, uh, we don't have a name for them--we say they have "Down's".

People with dementia who get confused at noc are often called (in health care) "sundowners" but we have no equivalent "Downer's" for DS people.

Mongoloid is an OLD name for DS--and is not used here in the US.



I have great potential to be a spaz, although I am less of a klutz than a spaz. (spaz to me includes some psychological aspects, unlike klutz, which is pure clumsiness). Teens spaz out alot, as do 2 year olds when they don't get their way. Older women sometimes spaz out when the bank teller counts out their money incorrectly, etc.

[saoirse]

I don't know if the general public realized just how many times sports writers make small changes to locker room quotes from other athletes. It's very common in the major team sports since the players tend to use colorful language in the locker room. The press is there, sticking mikes in the face of a pitcher who just gave up a walk off homerun, his quote might not be very PC.

It's funny. The sports columnists always complain about how the athletes are all carefully vetted and never say anything interesting in interviews any more.

[roger thornhill]

The L.A. Times didn't actually change the quote. They made it clear they were omitting a word by placing an alternate meaning in square brackets, which is the standard method.Thanks for the, er, straight dope. Still bizarre, but, as Dead Badger says - good name, by the way - maybe the Times has an Angloscientic, if not -philic, sub-editor.

[Thudlow Boink]

I am now hearing the "Spaz...Spaz...Spaz..." chant from Meatballs in my head.That's what's been running through my head throughout the whole thread. And it's been decades since I saw that movie.

[eleanorigby]

If the LA Times indeed changed the word, my guess is that they couldn't figure out how to spell it, not because they believed it to be offensive.



ooh--snap!





:D

[tagos]

But is it used to describe someone who is a klutz like it is in the U.S.? Or maybe an offensive name to call the mentally disabled?


Who was it that said that England and the U.S. are seperated by a common language? We'll keep spaz and fanny. Bloody can still mean gory to us. Y'all can keep fag.

Spazz, as some has said, is a derogatory shortening of 'spastic' and was generally deemed offensive when I was growing up. I find the US use offensive as it still seems to come from 'spastic', even if it means 'klutz'.

But as I said - I think this is an age thing. I'm sure kids in this country use it without any qualms.

[BF]

That's what's been running through my head throughout the whole thread. And it's been decades since I saw that movie.Totally. I had no idea this was a derogatory term somewhere. I equated it to spaz = nerd, since Tiger's buddies at Stanford nicknamed him Urkel (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0096579/). Of the 8 or 9 online news articles (SI.com, etc), including the two local newspapers, all shortened the quote to "I was a total spaz, I putted atrociously".

[tagos]

Totally. I had no idea this was a derogatory term somewhere. I equated it to spaz = nerd, since Tiger's buddies at Stanford nicknamed him Urkel (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0096579/). Of the 8 or 9 online news articles (SI.com, etc), including the two local newspapers, all shortened the quote to "I was a total spaz, I putted atrociously".

Using spaz as a noun just heightens the link to 'spastic' in my ears. 'I putted like a total spastic.' 'He danced like a total nigger'.

[mhendo]

The L.A. Times didn't actually change the quote. They made it clear they were omitting a word by placing an alternate meaning in square brackets, which is the standard method.

Saying: "As good as I hit it, that's as bad as I putted and it's frustrating, because I felt so in control of my ball from tee to green, and once I got on the green I was a [wreck]" means "we omitted some words, the meaning of which amounts to 'wreck.'" The Times's action may have been cowardly, but it wasn't dishonest.But square brackets, when used like this, are meant to help the writer clarify something or convey a meaning that might have been lost if the original words were used.

In this case, the writer had no need to fill in a blank space in order to help convey meaning. The word that Woods used conveyed all the meaning that was necessary, and substituting another word changed the original without adding anything useful. It was poor journalistic practice, and dishonest.

[Excalibre]

But square brackets, when used like this, are meant to help the writer clarify something or convey a meaning that might have been lost if the original words were used.

In this case, the writer had no need to fill in a blank space in order to help convey meaning. The word that Woods used conveyed all the meaning that was necessary, and substituting another word changed the original without adding anything useful. It was poor journalistic practice, and dishonest.
Agreed. And count me in with people who don't think of it as offensive. I understand the word's origins, and I don't use it because I know it's offensive to some people, but to me it would seem bizarre to use "spastic" to describe someone with cerebral palsy. I know that used to be a common usage, but at least in the U.S. I think we're several decades out from the word having any current connection to the disease.

Which is not to say I think people need to get over it. I don't think the phrase "nigger-rigged" is okay if you're not using it literally to describe something crafted by a black person. Still, I don't think "spaz" is generally regarded as a major insult in the U.S. and I had no idea of its original meaning until a few years back. Editing Tiger Woods' phrase might have made sense if he'd used a really, really bad word but protecting his reputation from his own use of insensitive language seems very dubious to me.

[jayjay]

Using spaz as a noun just heightens the link to 'spastic' in my ears. 'I putted like a total spastic.' 'He danced like a total nigger'.

"It burns like a fag."

Equating the US use of "spastic" to "nigger" is, frankly, stupid. It's like saying the British are homophobic because they call their cigarettes "fags". No one has called cerebral palsy sufferers "spastic" in DECADES...there's simply no cognitive connection between CP and "spastic" in most people's minds here. It just doesn't mean that.

[Contrapuntal]

Few will forget how he took umbrage when, after the 1997 Masters, Fuzzy Zoeller said that Woods would be serving chicken and collard greens, a typical Afro-American dish, at the 1998 champions' dinner.If you want to call this (http://www.texnews.com/tiger/accept042597.html) taking umbrage. From the link-- Tiger Woods says he accepts Fuzzy Zoeller's apology, although he was stunned and disappointed by the racially insensitive comments.

"At first, I was shocked to hear that Fuzzy Zoeller made these unfortunate remarks," Woods said Thursday in a statement released by his management agency, IMG. "His attempt at humor was out-of-bounds, and I was disappointed by it.

"But having played golf with Fuzzy, I know he is a jokester; and I have concluded that no personal animosity toward me was intended."Shouldn't he be like, you know, pissed off or angry or something to take him some umbrage?

As others have noted, "spaz" is a pretty mild term around here, not nearly on a par with phrases that invoke racial stereotypes.

[Dead Badger]

Equating the US use of "spastic" to "nigger" is, frankly, stupid. It's like saying the British are homophobic because they call their cigarettes "fags". No one has called cerebral palsy sufferers "spastic" in DECADES...there's simply no cognitive connection between CP and "spastic" in most people's minds here. It just doesn't mean that.As far as I can see, tagos is only referring to his personal perception of the word, and is not condemning anyone in the US for using a word neither they nor any of their peers find offensive. He's just illustrating how it appears to UK eyes, and his example is pretty apposite (although I do think "nigger" is, and always has been, a lot more offensive even in the UK).

[Hentor the Barbarian]

If they call you a dork, a spaz or a geek
Stand up for your rights; don't be meek!
Beautiful people, mark my words -
The time has come for Revenge of the Nerds

[La Llorona]

Meh. When I was a kid there were stern prohibitions against using words like "gay" or "retarded" in a derogatory fashion, as they were rightly seen as being discriminatory against large groups of people, but no such prohibition against spaz. There's honestly not a strong association in the United States between clumsy/klutzy person = spaz = spastic = person with cerebral palsy. (I recall having read once that the Brits kept using "spastic" in a medical sense for a goodly number of years after we'd largely switched to referring to "cerebral palsy", hence the greater offensiveness on the other side of the pond...can anyone verify this?) It was only a couple of years ago in adulthood that I learned that this term was offensive to anyone at all, and thus resolved to stop using it...but imho it's a mistake to ascribe malice or even absentminded non pc-ness to Americans using the word spaz or spastic, as its usage is much closer to the personal ridicule of "klutz" rather than the ridicule of groups of people who are seen as different than the norm, as in derogatory usages of "gay" or "retarded."

[Lobot]

"It burns like a fag."

Equating the US use of "spastic" to "nigger" is, frankly, stupid. It's like saying the British are homophobic because they call their cigarettes "fags". No one has called cerebral palsy sufferers "spastic" in DECADES...there's simply no cognitive connection between CP and "spastic" in most people's minds here. It just doesn't mean that.
The cigarette analogy fails because, as far as I know, the word "fag" for a cigarette was never derived from any association with homosexuals.

On the other hand, "spaz" almost certainly was derived from the an association with cerebral palsy, even in the U.S.

If no-one associated "nigger" with African Americans any more, would that make the word perfectly fine to use? Or would it be the history of the word that still meant it was offensive?

[Dead Badger]

On the other hand, "spaz" almost certainly was derived from the an association with cerebral palsy, even in the U.S.No, it wasn't - this is what I've been trying to explain. "Spastic", in its literal (and medical) sense, simply means "of or relating to spasms." Look at it - it comes from the same root and everything. This is what I was trying to illustrate by saying Tiger might just as well have said "ataxic", which similarly refers to uncoordinated muscle movements, and yet in the UK has no condition-specific connotations.

"Spastic" was originally (and still is, in the US) a perfectly disease-neutral description of a symptom, not a condition. For example, when I'm very stressed and tired I get spastic motions in my eyelid, and this has nothing to do with CP. The word was used to describe certain symptoms of CP, and in the UK and Australia has become inextricably linked with the condition. This is not the same as "spastic" being invented as a word for people with CP; it is a perfectly useful word that came to be used that way in some countries. But it's pointless and wrong to try and paint US users of the word as being insensitive, because that association simply doesn't exist there. It'd be like claiming the phrase "I'm shitting myself" was insensitive to people with irritable bowel syndrome or something.

[roger thornhill]

Latest from telegraphonline (Lewine Mair):

'Tiger Woods last night apologised for saying he putted like "a spaz" at the US Masters just hours after British Paralympian Tanni Grey Thompson…said he had been "a bit stupid saying something off the cuff in that way. I don't think he meant to be that offensive but it is something which nobody in his position should be saying."'

The correspondent goes on to write that Woods 'is among the most decent men in the game. He has his own programmes to help disadvantaged children, both in golf and education, while he shows extraordinary humility for one who has done so much at such an early age.'

Well, his ignorance has been fought, and life goes on.

[Menocchio]

Well, his ignorance has been fought, and life goes on.

What ignorance? In the United States, "spaz" is not at all offensive. It's an insult, but an incredibly mild one, utterly devoid of connection to any specific medical condition. No one in America associates "spaz" or "spastic" with cerebral palsy. Woods owes no one an apology. If he gave one, I'm sure it was more to avoid the trouble than heartfelt regret.

[roger thornhill]

I don't know about that, Menocchio. Woods's apology was presumably based on the premise that he understood that for people in other countries, besides the States, his remark was offensive, and regretted that. He's always seems a sincere and genuine fellow to me. Why should he feign regret? Perhaps being mixed himself gives him more insight and understanding than the average person.

[Guinastasia]

I don't know about that, Menocchio. Woods's apology was presumably based on the premise that he understood that for people in other countries, besides the States, his remark was offensive, and regretted that. He's always seems a sincere and genuine fellow to me. Why should he feign regret? Perhaps being mixed himself gives him more insight and understanding than the average person.

Or, for good PR.

Seriously, it's not even remotely thought of as a serious insult in the US. I use it occassionally. "Don't spaz out!"

[roger thornhill]

Seriously, it's not even remotely thought of as a serious insult in the US. I use it occassionally. "Don't spaz out!"Okay, that's settled then.

Next...

[duffer]

What ignorance? In the United States, "spaz" is not at all offensive. It's an insult, but an incredibly mild one, utterly devoid of connection to any specific medical condition. No one in America associates "spaz" or "spastic" with cerebral palsy. Woods owes no one an apology. If he gave one, I'm sure it was more to avoid the trouble than heartfelt regret.


Perhaps the ignorance to be mocked is the deletion of the word in "respected" news sources. It's obviously a case of being oversensitive and crafting the story to avoid as best they can offending a population of millions that just look for things to be offended by.

Are you aware of Editorial pages and letters to the Editor in the US? Substituting "spaz" with another word will create enough relatively indifferent anger to a message board. Publishing the actual quote (another reason to mistrust what editors are filtering) would result in hundreds of letters calling Woods "insensitive", "ill-informed" and "ignorant of the plight of those that are spastic".

Then we'd have to deal with the cries for community outreach programs, social awareness and likely protest marches on the steps of the paper's headquarters.

It's easier to use a substitute word. No surprise. They know about as much as we do and argue as much as we do over this shit. The difference is we don't try to sell the public on our opinions, and we sure as shit don't try to pass it off on the public as objective reporting.

Don't be shocked the media is protecting us from ourselves. Just accept what reporting they give you after sanitization, and be happy with it.

[Menocchio]

I don't know about that, Menocchio. Woods's apology was presumably based on the premise that he understood that for people in other countries, besides the States, his remark was offensive, and regretted that. He's always seems a sincere and genuine fellow to me. Why should he feign regret? Perhaps being mixed himself gives him more insight and understanding than the average person.
If that's so, then every British smoker owes the American gay community a big apology. Words mean different things in different countries. I think people should recognize it and move on. No apology necessary. I admit that it's complicated here since the words have dimilar definitions, but vastly different connotations.

Is there any possibility that the LA Times just misquoted the guy, no censorship intended?

[Hentor the Barbarian]

Next, roger will demand apologies for our brazen references to fanny packs, or for our cop shows referring to Lieutenants as "loo." In fact, we'll have to apologize for calling them Lieutenants instead of Leftenants.

Does "connote" mean the same thing over there? How about "dumbass"?

[Contrapuntal]

It's use to insult someone. It's shorthand for spastic like calling someone a mongo(Down Syndrome).Not over here buddy. You try that shit over here and Mongo Smash! (http://100megsfree4.com/nzwa/Sludge.jpg)

[tagos]

"It burns like a fag."

Equating the US use of "spastic" to "nigger" is, frankly, stupid. It's like saying the British are homophobic because they call their cigarettes "fags". No one has called cerebral palsy sufferers "spastic" in DECADES...there's simply no cognitive connection between CP and "spastic" in most people's minds here. It just doesn't mean that.

Grow the f*** up and stop trying to pick fights with strangers. I've said all along it's an age thing. I'm 50 and when I was a kid they were called spastics and spaz was the same as nigger and that how it still sounnds - TO ME.

JFC, learn to read.

[tagos]

As far as I can see, tagos is only referring to his personal perception of the word, and is not condemning anyone in the US for using a word neither they nor any of their peers find offensive. He's just illustrating how it appears to UK eyes, and his example is pretty apposite (although I do think "nigger" is, and always has been, a lot more offensive even in the UK).

Thankyou. A person who's lips don't get tired when reading. At last. How it sounds to this 50 year old's ears because at the time 'spaz' was a demeaning and unpleasant term. They wuz fighting words in any playground.

[tagos]

Some definitions

UK slang (http://www.peevish.co.uk/slang/s.htm)

spaz Noun. Imbecile, socially inept person, objectionable person. Also spas.
Derived from spastic. Offens.

spaz chariot Noun. 1. An invalid's car. See 'spaz'.
2. A wheelchair.

spazmo Noun. Imbecile, objectionable person. Derived from spastic. Offens.

spazmobile Noun. 1. A car for the disabled.
2. An objectionable, unstylish car.

Merriam (http://www.m-w.com/dictionary/spaz)

Etymology: by shortening & alteration from spastic

[Smeghead]

I just noticed we have a poster named "SpazCat".

[BF]

Apparently Tiger's comment has stirred quite the brou-haha (http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/magazine/4902432.stm) elsewhere, my local shock jock DJ's have taken it and are running it into the ground this morning.

[GuanoLad]

"Communication was outlawed today, when it was realised that somebody somewhere gets offended at something at some time, and the very thought of possibly offending somebody somehow so frightened our world governments, they immediately put through this ruling to prevent the possibility of ever hurting someone's feelings. This sentence contains the last words anyone will ever speak."

[GuanoLad]

There's a new animated movie out called The Wild (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0405469/). It was directed by Steve Williams (http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0931730/), known as "Spaz". All the articles and reviews and official text (http://adisney.go.com/disneypictures/thewild/index.html) referring to him call him Spaz Williams, or Steve "Spaz" Williams.

[CurtC]

And this is the first I've ever heard of "mongo". We call Down's Syndrome folk, uh, we don't have a name for them--we say they have "Down's".Don't have a slur name? How about "retard"? That's probably pretty equivalent to how "spaz" is perceived in England, I'd guess.

Speaking of words that editors take out of papers - last week there was a big fuss because the NY Times crossword had the word "scumbag" as one of its answers. The fuss was because the paper has a policy against using the word itself. Recently when a congressman called a colleague a scumbag, the Times stated that he called him something like "a slang word for a condom." I'm 44 years old and never knew this was the origin of the word.