# Like having a small, spic/fag/kike etc child. **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [May 18, 2007, 10:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/like-having-a-small-spic-fag-kike-etc-child/404653 "2007-05-18T22:09:19Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![RyJae](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/9d8465/32.png) [@RyJae](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RyJae)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2007, 10:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/like-having-a-small-spic-fag-kike-etc-child/404653/1 "2007-05-18T22:09:19Z")
So here I am reading and come across this gem > [@](#): > > It’s like having a small, retarded child that needs constant supervision and care, lest it get tangled up or make a mess of itself. Lovely, I would’ve expected better, more refined, less offensive terminology. Noticed that the quote not only didn’t attract any negative attention it attracted this > [@](#): > > That’s perfect (I may steal it). Yeah perfect you insensitive pricks. > [@](#): > > re·tard2 (rē’tärd’) pronunciation > n. Offensive Slang. > [@](#): > > kike (kīk) pronunciation > n. Offensive Slang. > [@](#): > > fag3 (făg) pronunciation > n. Offensive Slang. > [@](#): > > spic also spick (spĭk) pronunciation > n. Offensive Slang. > [@](#): > > nig·ger (nĭg’ər) pronunciation > n. Offensive Slang. Notice all these things? But it’s okay I suppose since “retards” cannot properly defend themselves. Or is okay to insult a class of people when you can make it into such a nice quote? [http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=) ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2007, 10:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/like-having-a-small-spic-fag-kike-etc-child/404653/2 "2007-05-18T22:12:06Z")
Your link is, ah, “challenged”. ---
**Author:** ![RyJae](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/9d8465/32.png) [@RyJae](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RyJae)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2007, 10:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/like-having-a-small-spic-fag-kike-etc-child/404653/3 "2007-05-18T22:18:24Z")
[http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=) missed the edit window ---
**Author:** ![Words\_on\_the\_Interweb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/b19c9b/32.png) [@Words\_on\_the\_Interweb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Words_on_the_Interweb)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2007, 10:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/like-having-a-small-spic-fag-kike-etc-child/404653/4 "2007-05-18T22:18:40Z")
Would saying “special needs” or “mentally handicapped” really have made the overall message any better? Is the problem the reference, or the word? Seems to me it’s just a crass statement in general, regardless of the word(s) used to describe the type of child the nameless poster was referring to. ---
**Author:** ![Blalron](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/35a633/32.png) [@Blalron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Blalron)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2007, 10:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/like-having-a-small-spic-fag-kike-etc-child/404653/5 "2007-05-18T22:19:46Z")
“Retard” is an offensive word. However, “Retarded” is simply a descriptive term. ---
**Author:** ![Scruloose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e68b1a/32.png) [@Scruloose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scruloose)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2007, 10:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/like-having-a-small-spic-fag-kike-etc-child/404653/6 "2007-05-18T22:21:55Z")
[QUOTE=RyJae] re·tard2 (rē’tärd’) pronunciation n. Offensive Slang. [/quote] Only he didn’t use the word ‘retard’ in a slang context. He used the word retarded which means: \*adjective 1. characterized by retardation: a retarded child. –noun 2. (used with a plural verb) mentally retarded persons collectively (usually prec. by the): new schools for the retarded. - What’s the problem? Offended much? ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2007, 10:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/like-having-a-small-spic-fag-kike-etc-child/404653/7 "2007-05-18T22:21:58Z")
[QUOTE=RyJae] [http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=) missed the edit window [/QUOTE] The link is still riding the short bus. ---
**Author:** ![RyJae](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/9d8465/32.png) [@RyJae](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RyJae)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2007, 10:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/like-having-a-small-spic-fag-kike-etc-child/404653/8 "2007-05-18T22:23:32Z")
[QUOTE=Blalron] “Retard” is an offensive word. However, “Retarded” is simply a descriptive term. [/QUOTE] Not when used in that context, so I guess that furniture store calling the fabric “nigger brown” should be okay because it was a descriptive term? > [@](#): > > re·tard·ed (rĭ-tär’dĭd) pronunciation > adj. > > 1. Often Offensive. Affected with mental retardation. [http://www.answers.com/retarded&r=67](http://www.answers.com/retarded&r=67) ---
**Author:** ![Omegaman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/e480ec/32.png) [@Omegaman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omegaman)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2007, 10:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/like-having-a-small-spic-fag-kike-etc-child/404653/9 "2007-05-18T22:24:03Z")
Kin I get a link brother ?! ---
**Author:** ![Roland\_Orzabal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c2a13f/32.png) [@Roland\_Orzabal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Roland_Orzabal)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2007, 10:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/like-having-a-small-spic-fag-kike-etc-child/404653/10 "2007-05-18T22:25:00Z")
[QUOTE=RyJae] > [@](#): > > re·tard2 (rē’tärd’) pronunciation > n. Offensive Slang. [/QUOTE] :dubious: > [@](#): > > It’s like having a small, retarded child that needs constant supervision and care, lest it get tangled up or make a mess of itself. [emphasis mine] > [@](#): > > re·tard·ed (ri- **tahr** -did) –adjective > > 1. characterized by retardation: a retarded child. –noun > > 2. (used with a plural verb) mentally retarded persons collectively (usually prec. by the): new schools for the retarded. One presumes a [retarded](http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/retarded) child would indeed require excess supervision and care. Perhaps the poster quoted in the OP could be accused of bad taste in similes, but hate speech? Hardly. ---
**Author:** ![Sofaspud](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/8491ac/32.png) [@Sofaspud](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sofaspud)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2007, 10:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/like-having-a-small-spic-fag-kike-etc-child/404653/11 "2007-05-18T22:25:39Z")
Edit: Pfeh. Other Dopers beat me to it. 🙂 [QUOTE=RyJae] [http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=) missed the edit window [/QUOTE] I think your link needs ‘special help’. ---
**Author:** ![Giraffe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/giraffe/32/129_2.png) [@Giraffe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Giraffe)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2007, 10:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/like-having-a-small-spic-fag-kike-etc-child/404653/12 "2007-05-18T22:26:54Z")
Here is [the post in question](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=8588087&postcount=4), I believe. ---
**Author:** ![Ogre](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/ecb155/32.png) [@Ogre](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ogre)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2007, 10:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/like-having-a-small-spic-fag-kike-etc-child/404653/13 "2007-05-18T22:28:05Z")
Yeah, no kidding. “Retarded” is a word widely seen even in scientific literature to describe the effects of a multitude of developmental disorders. It carries no particular negative connotation, despite its usurpation by puerile pop culture. So, your comparison to “retard” (which is offensive) is inexact and misleading. In short, saying “Your kid is a retard” might be roughly comparable to “Your kid is a spic/fag/kike.” Saying “Your child is retarded” (depending on the context, it may be insensitive, but not bigoted) is more like saying “Your child is Hispanic/homosexual/Jewish.” Turn down the offend-o-meter. ---
**Author:** ![pool](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pool/32/4152_2.png) [@pool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pool)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2007, 10:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/like-having-a-small-spic-fag-kike-etc-child/404653/14 "2007-05-18T22:30:10Z")
Yawn ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2007, 10:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/like-having-a-small-spic-fag-kike-etc-child/404653/15 "2007-05-18T22:31:19Z")
Help me out here. Are you saying that we shouldn’t use the word “retarded” at all, or that we simply should not use the retarded to make analogies? ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2007, 10:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/like-having-a-small-spic-fag-kike-etc-child/404653/16 "2007-05-18T22:34:56Z")
This is the most retarded pitting I have ever seen. ---
**Author:** ![Roland\_Orzabal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c2a13f/32.png) [@Roland\_Orzabal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Roland_Orzabal)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2007, 10:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/like-having-a-small-spic-fag-kike-etc-child/404653/17 "2007-05-18T22:35:42Z")
[QUOTE=Scruloose] Only he didn’t use the word ‘retard’ in a slang context. He used the word retarded which means: \*adjective 1. characterized by retardation: a retarded child. –noun 2. (used with a plural verb) mentally retarded persons collectively (usually prec. by the): new schools for the retarded. - What’s the problem? Offended much? [/QUOTE] …and this, ladies and gentlemen, is why we don’t post to threads opened an hour ago without previewing. :smack: Fucking **Scruloose** , all stealin’ my thunder an hour before I even said anything… ---
**Author:** ![Scruloose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e68b1a/32.png) [@Scruloose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scruloose)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2007, 10:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/like-having-a-small-spic-fag-kike-etc-child/404653/18 "2007-05-18T22:37:05Z")
😛 Nyah-nyah. ---
**Author:** ![Giraffe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/giraffe/32/129_2.png) [@Giraffe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Giraffe)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2007, 10:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/like-having-a-small-spic-fag-kike-etc-child/404653/19 "2007-05-18T22:37:41Z")
[QUOTE=Miller] Help me out here. Are you saying that we shouldn’t use the word “retarded” at all, or that we simply should not use the retarded to make analogies? [/QUOTE] I think he/she is saying that likening your boat to a retarded child is just as offensive as likening it to a homosexual. So, in the analogy in question: > [@](#): > > The biggest cost of owning a large boat (larger than you can trailer behind a standard 3/4 pickup) isn’t monetary, but the time required. It’s like having a homosexual that needs constant supervision, lest it start posting pictures of your penis on craigslist. Not so funny now, is it? ---
**Author:** ![RyJae](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/9d8465/32.png) [@RyJae](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RyJae)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2007, 10:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/like-having-a-small-spic-fag-kike-etc-child/404653/20 "2007-05-18T22:38:10Z")
[QUOTE=Miller] Help me out here. Are you saying that we shouldn’t use the word “retarded” at all, or that we simply should not use the retarded to make analogies? [/QUOTE] That’s right, unless you think it’s a proper way to classify something. Would you like it if someone said, hey you remember that Miller? The fag? Descriptive right? But offensive correct? [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/like-having-a-small-spic-fag-kike-etc-child/404653.md?page=2)