A Treatise On Calling People On Their Bullshit.

[LizKing531]

How about the word "bitch" - "as in this project is a real bitch" -

While it could be taken misogynistically, the statement could have origins related to dogs.

Not trying to pick a fight, just bringing some ideas out for discussion - so calm down UUUUNNNNGGGG

My wife works with the handicapped. This is a large are of discussion in her field. This is obviously a debatable subject. By saying "in no way" you've made some assumptions in the declaration of an absolute

[LizKing531]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nSE82pNZQjs

[LMNO]

So, is your next move going to be claiming that "you suck" is homophobic?

Just curious how far you want to go down this sewer pipe.

[LizKing531]

I'm looking for the part where "retarded" CANNOT be considered insulting. Bollucks said they wouldn't walk up to a Down's kid & call them a retard - why is that? But calling someone a retard is "in no way" connected....     I hope you see where I'm going with this...

In the same line of thought of the OP - they're discussing calling others out things that they consider offensive. Retard does happen to be offensive to some people.

[AFK]

Yeah, I've heard the same thing from the people I work with who work with special needs kids.  It is still considered to be a derogatory term by many, particularly people who have special needs children.

[LizKing531]

So, is your next move going to be claiming that "you suck" is homophobic?

Just curious how far you want to go down this sewer pipe.

but yeah - I'll bite:

"You suck" - eh - not homophobic, could be insulting, could just be an observation

"you suck dick" - could be homophobic or it also could just be an observation

[AFK]

By that same token, these things do evolve over time.  I know black people who hate the term African-American because they feel little to no connection to Africa.  But a couple of decades ago, that was the 'correct' PC term.  It's interesting how these things change.

[LizKing531]

Yeah, I've heard the same thing from the people I work with who work with special needs kids.  It is still considered to be a derogatory term by many, particularly people who have special needs children.

Exactly -

[LMNO]

Perhaps you're familiar with the concept of hyperbole.

This world is odd enough that the chances of SOMEONE being offended by SOMETHING quickly approaches 1.

It might be helpful to know that pedantry is not taken well here. If your only argument is "a small percentage of people find "retard" as an epithet offensive, you're not going to find a receptive audience.

Ah-- new posts since I started writing. For the record "you suck" DID originate as a shorthand for "you suck dick". My parents, who grew up in the 40s and 50s, used to punish us for saying "suck" as much as if we said "faggot" or "bitch".

So, yeah. "suck" began as fag bashing. But you're ok with that.

[Doktor Howl]

I'm looking for the part where "retarded" CANNOT be considered insulting.

Of course its insulting.  It's implying that someone refuses to think.

Now, if we are going to insist that all words have their first/original meaning, we CAN do that.  It sounds fun.

But you can take your PC shit and jam it up your arse.

[LizKing531]

By that same token, these things do evolve over time.  I know black people who hate the term African-American because they feel little to no connection to Africa.  But a couple of decades ago, that was the 'correct' PC term.  It's interesting how these things change.

Right - they do evolve over time.

Is it up to white people to decide if it's black or african-american? Is it up to Germans to decide if Polish people are Poles or Polacks(sp?)? Is it up to the fully functioning to decide if retard is insulting?

[Doktor Howl]

Perhaps you're familiar with the concept of hyperbole.

This world is odd enough that the chances of SOMEONE being offended by SOMETHING quickly approaches 1.

It might be helpful to know that pedantry is not taken well here. If your only argument is "a small percentage of people find "retard" as an epithet offensive, you're not going to find a receptive audience.

Ah-- new posts since I started writing. For the record "you suck" DID originate as a shorthand for "you suck dick". My parents, who grew up in the 40s and 50s, used to punish us for saying "suck" as much as if we said "faggot" or "bitch".

So, yeah. "suck" began as fag bashing. But you're ok with that.

It's different when he does it.   

For reasons that do not concern YOU.

[Mesozoic Mister Nigel]

If we're going to insist that all words still have their original meaning, that means that "Retarded" means, as Stella pointed out,

Definition of RETARD
transitive verb
1
: to slow up especially by preventing or hindering advance or accomplishment : impede
2
: to delay academic progress by failure to promote
intransitive verb
: to undergo retardation
— re·tard·er noun

Examples of RETARD

    The chemical will retard the spread of fire.
    The problems have retarded the progress of the program.

Origin of RETARD
Middle English, from Anglo-French or Latin; Anglo-French retarder, from Latin retardare, from re- + tardus slow
First Known Use: 15th century

http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/retarded

You're welcome.

[Doktor Howl]

Also, "faggot" is now acceptable, as it means "a small piece of wood".

[Doktor Howl]

If we're going to insist that all words still have their original meaning, that means that "Retarded" means, as Stella pointed out,

Definition of RETARD
transitive verb
1
: to slow up especially by preventing or hindering advance or accomplishment : impede
2
: to delay academic progress by failure to promote
intransitive verb
: to undergo retardation
— re·tard·er noun

Examples of RETARD

    The chemical will retard the spread of fire.
    The problems have retarded the progress of the program.

Origin of RETARD
Middle English, from Anglo-French or Latin; Anglo-French retarder, from Latin retardare, from re- + tardus slow
First Known Use: 15th century

http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/retarded

You're welcome.

Of course you realize, this means everyone in the 15th century was a complete bastard.

Um, which means their parents weren't married.