# Let's ban use of the word "retarded" as an insult here. **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [October 15, 2004, 6:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-ban-use-of-the-word-retarded-as-an-insult-here/269421 "2004-10-15T18:15:43Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 6
**Author:** ![SteveG1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bb73d2/32.png) [@SteveG1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SteveG1)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2004, 1:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-ban-use-of-the-word-retarded-as-an-insult-here/269421/101 "2004-10-16T01:02:35Z")
I’m against banning ANY word in the Pit. The Pit may be our last refuge against the rising tide of political correctness. ---
**Author:** ![Apos](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/838e76/32.png) [@Apos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Apos)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2004, 1:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-ban-use-of-the-word-retarded-as-an-insult-here/269421/102 "2004-10-16T01:17:58Z")
What, is this the week you’ve picked to demonstrate how absolutely pathetic you can be if you really, really try, Moto? Let’s do the math: you find yourself without a rope to piss up in this thread: [http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=280637&page=2](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=280637&page=2) Then instead of addressing the subject at hand, you pathetically try to imply that I only care about wrongdoing when Republicans are doing it. I call this tactlessly attempt utterly retarded. Suddenly, out come the tears and this thread pops up. Surely, there’s no connection! But please, teacher, he hit me! Let’s make a recess rule! Your sudden unprovoked interest in protecting the feelings of the mentally retarded is about as sincere as everything else about you, which is to say so utterly transparent that it probably provides much private amusement even to your closest friends. ---
**Author:** ![Apos](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/838e76/32.png) [@Apos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Apos)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2004, 1:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-ban-use-of-the-word-retarded-as-an-insult-here/269421/103 "2004-10-16T01:23:08Z")
Here, I’ll make you a deal. I agree that retarded isn’t a good idea to use in a derogatory fashion. So, please, let me know what juicy word you WOULD prefer in order that I might quickly convey your bald stupidity to someone who might need such guidance? I mean, the English language fails us sometimes, which is why we end up with this awkward dance of finding PC insults. Help us out: how can we better describe your sad condition? ---
**Author:** ![bizzwire](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/958977/32.png) [@bizzwire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bizzwire)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2004, 1:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-ban-use-of-the-word-retarded-as-an-insult-here/269421/104 "2004-10-16T01:25:10Z")
> [@Polerius](#): > > Is seems to me very authoritarian to ban words from being used, for any reason. > In fact, are any words currently banned on the SDMB? Yes there is: “Fat.” I’d do a search, but can’t (three letters-too short) ---
**Author:** ![Blalron](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/35a633/32.png) [@Blalron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Blalron)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2004, 1:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-ban-use-of-the-word-retarded-as-an-insult-here/269421/105 "2004-10-16T01:25:45Z")
I don’t think this is hate speech. It is not usually used as a direct insult against an actual retarded person. At least not on the Straight Dope Message Board. Hate speech would be seeing a developmentally disabled man on the street and shouting “Hey, retard!” But responding to a stupid post with “you’re retarded” isn’t in the same category. It may offend some, but in my own reasoned judgement I wouldn’t want a blanket ban on the word as an insult. Context is what matters, and 9 times out of 10 it isn’t hate speech. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Moto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9de0a6/32.png) [@Mr.Moto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Moto)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2004, 2:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-ban-use-of-the-word-retarded-as-an-insult-here/269421/106 "2004-10-16T02:54:08Z")
I didn’t single you out here, **Apos**. You’re not the sole offender when it comes to that word. For folks that think I just discovered this issue, please note I have tried in the past to get direction from the mods regarding its use. I have never received an answer, and didn’t post the queries. ---
**Author:** ![1010011010](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/1/ea666f/32.png) [@1010011010](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/1010011010)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2004, 4:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-ban-use-of-the-word-retarded-as-an-insult-here/269421/107 "2004-10-16T04:05:40Z")
Reading this thread I’m reminded of a movie by brother gave me. It’s titled “Our House” and is about a group-home for developmentally disabled adults. There’s a scene where two of the folks are arguing about who is more retarded. It seems like the entire basis of the call to ban “retard” as an insult hinges around the idea that the people to whom the term applies as a factual descriptor are universally offended by its use or incapable of articulating that they find it offensive. Thus, we, as their fully functioning protectors, must ensure that these loving little huggy bears are spared hurt feelings. Because, after all, only fully functioning humans can handle hurt feelings. Agreed? :dubious: ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Moto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9de0a6/32.png) [@Mr.Moto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Moto)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2004, 4:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-ban-use-of-the-word-retarded-as-an-insult-here/269421/108 "2004-10-16T04:13:32Z")
Nope. Just because some people aren’t offended by the use of other epithets doesn’t mean we should abide their use here. ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2004, 4:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-ban-use-of-the-word-retarded-as-an-insult-here/269421/109 "2004-10-16T04:25:30Z")
I’m against word banning of any sort. Context is everything. It’s not the words themselves it’s how their used. The mods are perfectly capable of determining whether a poster is being a jerk without a need for magic words to cue them. ---
**Author:** ![alterego](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/6bbea6/32.png) [@alterego](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alterego)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2004, 4:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-ban-use-of-the-word-retarded-as-an-insult-here/269421/110 "2004-10-16T04:27:02Z")
I’m surprised nobody mentioned the Black Eyed Peas recent hip-hop hit “Let’s get retarded”: > [@](#): > > Everybody, everybody, let’s get into it. > Get stupid. > Get retarded, get retarded, get retarded. > Let’s get retarded (ha), let’s get retarded in here. Let’s get retarded (ha), let’s get retarded in here. > Let’s get retarded (ha), let’s get retarded in here. Let’s get retarded (ha), let’s get retarded in here. > Yeah. ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2004, 4:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-ban-use-of-the-word-retarded-as-an-insult-here/269421/111 "2004-10-16T04:28:29Z")
> [@alterego](#): > > I’m surprised nobody mentioned the Black Eyed Peas recent hip-hop hit “Let’s get retarded”: That should be Bush’s campaign song. ---
**Author:** ![leander](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/bcef8e/32.png) [@leander](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/leander)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2004, 4:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-ban-use-of-the-word-retarded-as-an-insult-here/269421/112 "2004-10-16T04:38:45Z")
> [@gobear](#): > > Eh, I dislike being called a fag, as in Hey, fag!", but OTIOH, I use the word myself soemtimes teasingly to friends self-deprecatingly, as in “wow, he’s hot” Oh, I’m being way too faggy." Is it consistent? No, but I still haven’t sorted out my own feelings on those terms. Good thing I’m not running for president. Still, it’s a little pathetic to sit here and make fun of others, act like an ass, then turn around and cry like a little bitch whenever someone pokes a stick at your own “cause”. Oh well. This is why it’s no fun to play with you. Too much hypocrisy. But please, carry on in **gobear** fantasyland… ---
**Author:** ![sleeping](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/839c29/32.png) [@sleeping](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sleeping)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2004, 5:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-ban-use-of-the-word-retarded-as-an-insult-here/269421/113 "2004-10-16T05:36:49Z")
> [@](#): > > [**gobear**](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=4563616&postcount=129): > > Hey, fuckface, mind if I answer instead of you treating me like a ventriloquist’s doll? YES, I find that offensive. I am not fond of homophobes, but I fucking LOATHE that word. I don’t use it, I don’t like it being said of gay men in any context. I’m a man, not a fag, or a queer, or a fruit, or any term that denigrates me and mine as a lesser order of being. > [@gobear](#): > > Eh, I dislike being called a fag, as in Hey, fag!", but OTIOH, I use the word myself soemtimes teasingly to friends self-deprecatingly, as in “wow, he’s hot” Oh, I’m being way too faggy." Is it consistent? No, but I still haven’t sorted out my own feelings on those terms. Good thing I’m not running for president. You fucking asshole. You attacked me in the other thread for claiming that no word can be deemed invariably offensive and now, when you’re being accused of the same about another word and are called on being a hypocrite, you try to wave it away by explaining that _you’re still unsure about your feelings on the matter_. And yet you seemed damn certain in the other thread. > [@](#): > > Should we use words the way you tell us? Should we allow a certain person to dictate what “liberal” or “libertarian” mean? Ah, and you follow that up by using the same argument I used in the previous thread. Most interesting. ---
**Author:** ![1010011010](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/1/ea666f/32.png) [@1010011010](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/1010011010)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2004, 6:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-ban-use-of-the-word-retarded-as-an-insult-here/269421/114 "2004-10-16T06:42:54Z")
What about the use of “retarded” as a superlative? E.G. “That cah waz wikkid retahded, yo.” In any event, I’m not sure if **gobear** qualifies as a hypocrite. Presumably, he’d be more receptive **Mr. Moto** ’s case if he was, in fact, a retard who was personally offended… just as **gobear** is a gay man personally offended by being referred to as a fag. I’m not going to presume **gobear** is incapable of expressing his offense at being called a fag, and so we, as heterosexuals, must protect him and the other Nancy boys from the possibility of such offense. In all probability, that sort of benign false superiority would be more insulting and is definitely more insidious. ---
**Author:** ![RedFury](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/ec9cab/32.png) [@RedFury](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RedFury)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2004, 7:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-ban-use-of-the-word-retarded-as-an-insult-here/269421/115 "2004-10-16T07:13:11Z")
Calling someone a “Nancy boy” submerges me in doubt. Would that be a “really gay” thing to say, or, in contrast, “simply retarded”? ---
**Author:** ![Mockingbird](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c68b51/32.png) [@Mockingbird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mockingbird)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2004, 7:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-ban-use-of-the-word-retarded-as-an-insult-here/269421/116 "2004-10-16T07:18:30Z")
> [@1010011010](#): > > What about the use of “retarded” as a superlative? > E.G. “That cah waz wikkid retahded, yo.” > > In any event, I’m not sure if **gobear** qualifies as a hypocrite. Presumably, he’d be more receptive **Mr. Moto** ’s case if he was, in fact, a retard who was personally offended… just as **gobear** is a gay man personally offended by being referred to as a fag. > > I’m not going to presume **gobear** is incapable of expressing his offense at being called a fag, and so we, as heterosexuals, must protect him and the other Nancy boys from the possibility of such offense. In all probability, that sort of benign false superiority would be more insulting and is definitely more insidious. This fag got bitchslapped in an epic way a few years ago when I used the term BREEDER as a joke. A few loud whiners who were more PC than thou(not you personally, but a variant on being holier than thou) were screaming for my fucking head on a pike. :rolleyes: I’m amending use of retard to ‘head injury victim.’ Or perhaps something like: “Excuse me, but did you recently suffer some major blunt trauma to the head?” There is sensitive, there is PC, and then there is _get the fuck over yourself._ ---
**Author:** ![chula](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a4c791/32.png) [@chula](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chula)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2004, 8:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-ban-use-of-the-word-retarded-as-an-insult-here/269421/117 "2004-10-16T08:04:06Z")
> [@legion](#): > > Trying to get “retard” banned is lame. I’m still waiting for the handicapped people to jump on this one… ---
**Author:** ![Mockingbird](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c68b51/32.png) [@Mockingbird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mockingbird)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2004, 8:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-ban-use-of-the-word-retarded-as-an-insult-here/269421/118 "2004-10-16T08:05:29Z")
> [@chula](#): > > I’m still waiting for the handicapped people to jump on this one… Or some of us that have a handicap just don’t think it’s worth bothering with. ---
**Author:** ![Evil\_Death](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ecccb3/32.png) [@Evil\_Death](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Evil_Death)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2004, 8:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-ban-use-of-the-word-retarded-as-an-insult-here/269421/119 "2004-10-16T08:33:21Z")
> [@1010011010](#): > > I’m not going to presume **gobear** is incapable of expressing his offense at being called a fag, and so we, as heterosexuals, must protect him and the other Nancy boys from the possibility of such offense. In all probability, that sort of benign false superiority would be more insulting and is definitely more insidious. Sounds like a plan. Let’s do it. ---
**Author:** ![Brutus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/91b2a8/32.png) [@Brutus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Brutus)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2004, 8:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-ban-use-of-the-word-retarded-as-an-insult-here/269421/120 "2004-10-16T08:48:36Z")
> [@chula](#): > > I’m still waiting for the handicapped people to jump on this one… Heheh. Kudos. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-ban-use-of-the-word-retarded-as-an-insult-here/269421.md?page=5) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-ban-use-of-the-word-retarded-as-an-insult-here/269421.md?page=7)