Yeah, tom. Grow up.
Is it a double polaroid?
:eek:
No, seriously. :eek:
Clean up in aisle 5!
I’m just impressed that you read through that post. You must really like boats.
So, we’re not supposed to use that word after all?
I’m very confused here.
Delayed and retarded are synonyms. I can’t see why one is acceptable and the other offensive.
That’s what’s so stupid about the notion of “hate speech”. A word rises up to replace a word that bigots have appropriated. Bigots appropriate the new word. Then another new word rises up to replace it. Bigots start using it. And on it goes.
This is the first thing you’ve said in I don’t know how long that I’ve agreed with. Well said.
Actually, someone of my acumen will recognize that people who put together dictionaries (other than the O.E.D.) often have to worry about being concise and not spending a lot of effort distinguishing among varying shades of meaning. You will note that I did, indeed, provide a specific context in which the word may be used in an offensive manner. The discriminating reader, however, will recognize that there is more to the situation than a simplistic thumbs up/thumbs down declaration.
The source of your definition is the American Heritage Dictionary (Answers.com is never the source of anything.) So let us check out the AH, (as repeated on Bartleby) seeking the word “retard.”
*Offensive Slang * 1. Used as a disparaging term for a mentally
retarded person. 2. A person considered to be foolish or socially
inept.
Note the difference? In your definition, the editors note that the word is often offensive. This would imply that the context determines the use and its level of offense.
In contrast, the word “retard” is labeled offensive with no modifying word other than a note that it is slang.
Given that I have dealt with real human beings in the field who actually use the word without it being offensive, I will continue to hold that the statement about which you are upset was graceless, but not sufficiently offensive to deserve a Pitting.
So, that 60-something year old retarded man that lives in the apartment across the street from me is just “delayed”? So, he’s going to be totally developed here in a few years? I’m sure his sister who takes care of him will be relieved to hear that!
:dubious:
Isn’t that kind of, um, er, small in proportion to the body to which it’s attached?
That’s why I think ‘developmentally delayed’ is such a stupid term. My son didn’t walk until he was 18 months old - quite a bit later than most children. For a while, his development was delayed. Mentally, though, he was fine. Euphemisms are OK but occasionally, as in this case, they don’t mean what they say.
Well, yes it is, and how … special of you it is to point it out. I’m sure our Beloved Moderator has many fine qualities that make up for the cruel shortcomings that life bestows upon those who do not run with the horses, so to speak. A dry wit, perhaps? Really good cuddles? A *soupcon *of empathy?
Of course, some would say that it’s not the size of the prize, but the piledriving ass behind it that matters. And if a mule be the outcome, then who’s to say it’s not all for the best?
As for me, modesty compels me to reveal that I am mostly ass. Frau Blucher, I await thee!
Actually, you have pointed out the distinguishing feature between mentally retarded and developmentally delayed: one specifically addresses mental issues and the other addresses other issues, (social, physical, personal), that may or may not be affected by a damaged intelligence but which can definitely affect one’s life.
A child that is delayed in developing and mastering speech, for example, is going to have trouble in society even if his or her mind is sharp.
Well, yes it is, but it appears to be prehensile, which I imagine would make up for any other shortcomings.
Nope. It’s pretty much just the tongue, the lazy eye and the flatulence.
That’s gotta be some tongue!
Yes, but DD is the all-purpose euphemism used these days to cover mental retardation. I don’t think I’ve ever heard it used to cover physical development being late.
I wonder if this is regional? You and Hippy Hollow have both made that observation, but my experience with people who work in the field is quite different.