# What's a non-offensive synonym for "lame"? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [December 4, 2012, 6:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-a-non-offensive-synonym-for-lame/642980 "2012-12-04T18:51:40Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![tim314](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tim314/32/3468_2.png) [@tim314](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tim314)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2012, 6:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-a-non-offensive-synonym-for-lame/642980/1 "2012-12-04T18:51:40Z")
So apparently some people are offended by the use of the word “lame”, which I use to mean something like “mildly pathetic”. I guess because the word “lame” literally means “disabled”. I’m not seeking to debate if this is reasonable or overly PC (hence the forum). Example usage: “It’s kind of lame that my vocabulary is so poor that I had to throw this question to the Dope.” If I said it’s “pathetic”, the tone of the comment is wrong, crossing the line from “self-deprecating” into “I have self-esteem issues”. For bonus points, what’s a synonym for “crazy” without the mental-illness connection? As in “irrational” or “ill-considered”, but with more of a tone of outrage. E.g., “Your boss expects you to work on Christmas? That’s crazy!” (Hmm… maybe “outrageous” actually works well there.) ---
**Author:** ![Shark\_Sandwich](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f04885/32.png) [@Shark\_Sandwich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shark_Sandwich)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2012, 6:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-a-non-offensive-synonym-for-lame/642980/2 "2012-12-04T18:58:38Z")
For lame maybe…pitiful? But that seems a bit harsher than you intend as well. I think outrageous works for crazy in the example you’ve given. But don’t be blind to the fact that there are people out there that are a bit over-sensitive. Of course, this may be falling on deaf ears. ---
**Author:** ![Speaker\_for\_the\_Dead](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c77e96/32.png) [@Speaker\_for\_the\_Dead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Speaker_for_the_Dead)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2012, 7:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-a-non-offensive-synonym-for-lame/642980/3 "2012-12-04T19:01:59Z")
I use “bogus” and “bizarre” for “crazy.” “Lame” is so multifunctional, but I’ve heard myself use silly, ridiculous, sad, dumb (although I guess that’s as bad as lame) and goofy. ---
**Author:** ![njtt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/ecd19e/32.png) [@njtt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/njtt)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2012, 7:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-a-non-offensive-synonym-for-lame/642980/4 "2012-12-04T19:04:25Z")
> [@Shark\_Sandwich](#): > > For lame maybe…pitiful? But that seems a bit harsher than you intend as well. > > I think outrageous works for crazy in the example you’ve given. > > But don’t be blind to the fact that there are people out there that are a bit over-sensitive. Of course, this may be falling on deaf ears. “Hearing impaired ears,” please! 😛 ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2012, 7:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-a-non-offensive-synonym-for-lame/642980/5 "2012-12-04T19:06:38Z")
“Weak,” (“That’s weak, dude”) has a very similar slang connotation to lame without the comparison to being disabled. Since weak is a general term that can be applied to things as well as people (weak tea), even a 99-pound weakling could hardly take offense.😉 ---
**Author:** ![hogarth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hogarth/32/1773_2.png) [@hogarth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hogarth)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2012, 7:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-a-non-offensive-synonym-for-lame/642980/6 "2012-12-04T19:12:07Z")
> [@Colibri](#): > > “Weak,” (“That’s weak, dude”) has a very similar slang connotation to lame without the comparison to being disabled. Since weak is a general term that can be applied to things as well as people (weak tea), even a 99-pound weakling could hardly take offense.😉 Or “weak-sauce”, if you want to be even slangier. ---
**Author:** ![Snarky\_Kong](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a183cd/32.png) [@Snarky\_Kong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snarky_Kong)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2012, 7:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-a-non-offensive-synonym-for-lame/642980/7 "2012-12-04T19:15:20Z")
Since the question has been answered: If the person in question isn’t your grandmother, tell them to go fuck themselves with a cactus. ---
**Author:** ![Blaster\_Master](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/cab0a1/32.png) [@Blaster\_Master](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Blaster_Master)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2012, 7:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-a-non-offensive-synonym-for-lame/642980/8 "2012-12-04T19:20:28Z")
Try sad, off the top of my head, I think that comes closest to the same tone. Weak suggested upthread works well too. “It’s kind of _sad_ that my vocabulary is so poor that I had to throw this question to the Dope.” If I said it’s “pathetic”, the tone of the comment is wrong, crossing the line from “self-deprecating” into “I have self-esteem issues”. > [@](#): > > For bonus points, what’s a synonym for “crazy” without the mental-illness connection? As in “irrational” or “ill-considered”, but with more of a tone of outrage. E.g., “Your boss expects you to work on Christmas? That’s crazy!” (Hmm… maybe “outrageous” actually works well there.) Outrageous works. So does ridiculous or other similar exclamations. ---
**Author:** ![tim314](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tim314/32/3468_2.png) [@tim314](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tim314)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2012, 7:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-a-non-offensive-synonym-for-lame/642980/9 "2012-12-04T19:25:59Z")
> [@Shark\_Sandwich](#): > > But don’t be blind to the fact that there are people out there that are a bit over-sensitive. Of course, this may be falling on deaf ears. Yeah, I hear you. And I see what you did there. ---
**Author:** ![davekhps](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a5b964/32.png) [@davekhps](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davekhps)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2012, 7:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-a-non-offensive-synonym-for-lame/642980/10 "2012-12-04T19:39:43Z")
> [@Colibri](#): > > “Weak,” (“That’s weak, dude”) has a very similar slang connotation to lame without the comparison to being disabled. Since weak is a general term that can be applied to things as well as people (weak tea), even a 99-pound weakling could hardly take offense.😉 And unless you’re a _98_-pound weakling, who cares if they’re offended? ---
**Author:** ![md2000](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/73ab20/32.png) [@md2000](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/md2000)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2012, 10:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-a-non-offensive-synonym-for-lame/642980/11 "2012-12-04T22:30:43Z")
It’s unfortunate that “weak” is the best answer. But, it’s not an illogical or incongruous choice. ---
**Author:** ![SpoilerVirgin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/4491bb/32.png) [@SpoilerVirgin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SpoilerVirgin)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2012, 10:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-a-non-offensive-synonym-for-lame/642980/12 "2012-12-04T22:38:18Z")
I would use _sad_ or _silly_ as a replacement for lame. For crazy, I like _ludicrous_ (laughably ridiculous), which also works for some instances of lame. ---
**Author:** ![Dendarii\_Dame](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/bbce88/32.png) [@Dendarii\_Dame](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dendarii_Dame)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2012, 11:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-a-non-offensive-synonym-for-lame/642980/13 "2012-12-04T23:51:18Z")
> [@tim314](#): > > For bonus points, what’s a synonym for “crazy” without the mental-illness connection? As in “irrational” or “ill-considered”, but with more of a tone of outrage. E.g., “Your boss expects you to work on Christmas? That’s crazy!” (Hmm… maybe “outrageous” actually works well there.) Kind of old-fashioned, but to use your example: “Your boss expects you to work on Christmas? The idea!” ---
**Author:** ![Senegoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senegoid/32/6606_2.png) [@Senegoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Senegoid)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2012, 2:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-a-non-offensive-synonym-for-lame/642980/14 "2012-12-05T02:37:20Z")
> [@Colibri](#): > > “Weak,” (“That’s weak, dude”) has a very similar slang connotation to lame without the comparison to being disabled. Since weak is a general term that can be applied to things as well as people (weak tea), even a 99-pound weakling could hardly take offense.😉 That’s weak. Some would even say, That’s “risible”. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2012, 2:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-a-non-offensive-synonym-for-lame/642980/15 "2012-12-05T02:44:37Z")
“Lame” is a term still commonly used in discussing horses. Equines are either “sound” or “lame”, with various further descriptors. Just sayin. ---
**Author:** ![moriah](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b2d939/32.png) [@moriah](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/moriah)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2012, 3:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-a-non-offensive-synonym-for-lame/642980/16 "2012-12-05T03:26:55Z")
droll absurd pathetic awful cruddy crummy defective deficient dreadful erroneous lousy (don’t let the lice lobby hear you say it) sad slipshod lacking sorry squalid vile inferior wanting cheesy crappy junky mediocre rubbish second-rate tatty trashy trite vulgar shabby inadequate execrable lamentable sickening terrible tragic unbearable woeful decrepit weak wimpy inane inept heinous inapt sketchy uncool flimsy rotten rude pretentious ---
**Author:** ![dstarfire](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dstarfire/32/5762_2.png) [@dstarfire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dstarfire)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2012, 3:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-a-non-offensive-synonym-for-lame/642980/17 "2012-12-05T03:44:15Z")
> [@SpoilerVirgin](#): > > For crazy, I like _ludicrous_ (laughably ridiculous), which also works for some instances of lame. Actually, ridiculous itself would also work for the second situation. As for the overly-sensitive issues, I imagine it’d be best to explain to that person what term you would use for whomever they think you’re maligning with the word “lame”. ---
**Author:** ![ed\_anger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/bbce88/32.png) [@ed\_anger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ed_anger)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2012, 3:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-a-non-offensive-synonym-for-lame/642980/18 "2012-12-05T03:51:01Z")
> [@Blaster\_Master](#): > > Try sad, off the top of my head, I think that comes closest to the same tone. Weak suggested upthread works well too. Sad is making fun of the emotionally disturbed :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![jackdavinci](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackdavinci/32/3259_2.png) [@jackdavinci](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jackdavinci)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2012, 4:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-a-non-offensive-synonym-for-lame/642980/19 "2012-12-05T04:10:33Z")
I think others have adequately answered the thesaurus part of your question. So here’s food for thought - why are these things offensive to people? I guess “lame” has an unfortunate association with negativity towards the disabled. But any similar word you choose is going to have some negative connotation, even if it isn’t associated directly with bigotry. So avoid the issue altogether by rephrasing in a positive way. Instead of “that’s weak” you could say “x would be so much better” or “we could improve it so much by doing y”. Or use humor instead. For your OP example you could say something like “a band of flying monkeys ate all the thesauruses in my town and now I need your help to brainstorm alternatives to the phrase ‘lame’”. ---
**Author:** ![AaronX](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/7bcc69/32.png) [@AaronX](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AaronX)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2012, 5:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-a-non-offensive-synonym-for-lame/642980/20 "2012-12-05T05:03:29Z")
How about disappointing? [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-a-non-offensive-synonym-for-lame/642980.md?page=2)