General Discussion

mwooldri

(10,825 posts)

294. Thank you, and I have amended my original one-liner NT post.

Sat Jun 29, 2013, 12:44 PM

Jun 2013

The Oxford English Dictionary agrees with you. It states that it has become an offensive word over the years.

http://oxforddictionaries.com/definition/english/retarded?q=retarded

As for "gay" it used to be acceptable to call something "gay". Today it would be confusing at least. The word "gay" changed its meaning, also becoming a noun in the process.

The English language is a very fluid language which does change over time. And yes words do change meanings. The word "wireless" is not associated with AM/FM radio but is now associated with cellular mobile telephones. Strangely enough I do call the radio "the wireless" because that is the word I have associated with it, and don't use it with respect to mobile phones.

You have challenged my thinking and I thank you. In respect to the OP and the witness using that particular phrase, replacing that word with a synonym makes the sentence as a more direct insult to the lawyer who was questioning her. She could have used a better choice of words.

Again, thank you.

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Witness responds to suggestion that Trayvon lied before getting shot: �That�s real retarded, sir� [View all] Playinghardball Jun 2013 OP

Zing! This guys lawyer sux NightWatcher Jun 2013 #1

are you kidding me????? BigD_95 Jun 2013 #166

knock-knock H2O Man Jun 2013 #168

troll who? Voice for Peace Jun 2013 #254

No shit. Enthusiast Jun 2013 #266

She steadfastly told her story. She lied about her age from fear. You are so wrong it's funny. WinkyDink Jun 2013 #177

A "racist"? Why because she uses the term "cracker" to describe friggin bigots? Hoyt Jun 2013 #216

keep dreaming, apologist noiretextatique Jun 2013 #221

Keep believing that. You sound delusional. brush Jun 2013 #229

Too bad she couldn't had said "Knock Knock" to him. LiberalFighter Jun 2013 #276

Racist or liar, true or not, doesn't change the facts of the murder... Sheepshank Jun 2013 #231

WTF are you talking about? catbyte Jun 2013 #251

She didn't attack and kill a stranger, though. aquart Jun 2013 #255

bwhahahaha Cali_Democrat Jun 2013 #2

Sarah Palin is sure to chime in now. MrSlayer Jun 2013 #3

Wow. Powerful testimony, IMHO. nt pnwmom Jun 2013 #4

Knock knock ... who's there? ... George Zimmerman's lawyer ... zbdent Jun 2013 #5

lol uponit7771 Jun 2013 #70

Totally correct usage of a word. Hell Hath No Fury Jun 2013 #6

She actually used the word "retarded"/ Isn't that a no-no ? virgogal Jun 2013 #7

She's under no obligation to tread lightly so as to avoid OFFENDING you or anyone else. kestrel91316 Jun 2013 #11

That's what Paula Deen thought too marshall Jun 2013 #175

You are really stretching. WinkyDink Jun 2013 #179

Too true! n/t mimi85 Jun 2013 #190

I don't appreciate it when someone calls my 2 year old grandson, who has Downs Syndrome, retarded! Dustlawyer Jun 2013 #269

I don't think Racheal Jeantel knows your 2 yr old grandson SemperEadem Jun 2013 #271

Why do you have to be like that? Do you not understand that the discussion was about Dustlawyer Jun 2013 #295

Paula Deen is a celebrity with her own TV show. Crunchy Frog Jun 2013 #285

Only if it's: zbdent Jun 2013 #291

she was describing the behavior, not the person. nt msongs Jun 2013 #15

And that is the whole difference in usage. To call someone that word is a no no but to discribe an jwirr Jun 2013 #30

You got it right. Difference between the usage. nt LiberalFighter Jun 2013 #277

She didn't call him a retard. She told him his sugestion was retarded. notadmblnd Jun 2013 #17

- just like something a person to whom that has applied might say or do- right? loyalsister Jun 2013 #193

See Reply #179 above. truebluegreen Jun 2013 #247

That's a shame loyalsister Jun 2013 #250

So you think that attorney's feelings were hurt? truebluegreen Jun 2013 #252

The insult is to those who he is being compared with loyalsister Jun 2013 #259

We can only hope it dwells on his mind during the hearing. LiberalFighter Jun 2013 #280

There is more than one use for the word notadmblnd Jun 2013 #270

Why didn't she say "you're a brake." loyalsister Jun 2013 #272

I gave the definition of the word notadmblnd Jun 2013 #274

It's not only my interpretation loyalsister Jun 2013 #275

I didn't disregard or dismiss anything notadmblnd Jun 2013 #279

"she said the question was retarded" loyalsister Jun 2013 #283

Compassion for the defense? notadmblnd Jun 2013 #284

Seriously? loyalsister Jun 2013 #287

You are implying that the inarticulate young lady hurt notadmblnd Jun 2013 #289

If you read it that way, you have not read my posts accurately loyalsister Jun 2013 #290

Then it would have to be removed from usage in the automotive industry in regards to ignition. LiberalFighter Jun 2013 #281

Um no loyalsister Jun 2013 #286

I dunno. Crunchy Frog Jun 2013 #288

The lawyer is not developmentally delayed, which i believe is the current term in use. Kurovski Jun 2013 #115

I'm not so sure about that pokerfan Jun 2013 #135

"Dying is easy, comedy is hard." Kurovski Jun 2013 #296

Just... deathrind Jun 2013 #204

Kids from the special Olympics started a campaign to stop the use of this word as an insult. dkf Jun 2013 #120

English is this young woman's 3rd language, and it's heavy on vernacular. pnwmom Jun 2013 #141

But what about people here? dkf Jun 2013 #142

What people are reacting to isn't her word choice. It's the strong but very quiet,controlled emotion pnwmom Jun 2013 #145

Exactly! mimi85 Jun 2013 #191

++ Voice for Peace Jun 2013 #256

Me, too! People with some brains and some empathy. n/t pnwmom Jun 2013 #261

I would be loyalsister Jun 2013 #192

first of all, she didn't make a joke. and i am certain she did not mean to offend noiretextatique Jun 2013 #219

Hopefully she will understand one day as will you. dkf Jun 2013 #226

It doesn't matter what most people will think customerserviceguy Jun 2013 #150

She is not the person on trial. KurtNYC Jun 2013 #169

Her credibility is what is being judged. n/t customerserviceguy Jun 2013 #264

six individuals RILib Jun 2013 #188

Being as all six of these jurors are women customerserviceguy Jun 2013 #265

This message was self-deleted by its author JimDandy Jun 2013 #268

I heard several analysts say this as well -- the all-female jury did not appear to like anneboleyn Jun 2013 #278

Which would likely not include anyone LiberalFighter Jun 2013 #282

This message was self-deleted by its author JimDandy Jun 2013 #293

oh for fuck's sake noiretextatique Jun 2013 #218

This is not a comment on her, it's a comment on the peanut gallery cheering on the use of "retard". dkf Jun 2013 #222

point taken eom noiretextatique Jun 2013 #235

The Food Network has cancelled her show jberryhill Jun 2013 #176

Get over it. WinkyDink Jun 2013 #178

Yes, but... Bradical79 Jun 2013 #199

No, it's OK for someone we like ........ PsychoBunny Jun 2013 #205

It was a retarded question with dim-brained logic. aquart Jun 2013 #258

that was the best line of the trial... Sancho Jun 2013 #8

I stood up and actually clapped all american girl Jun 2013 #67

I do too! cilla4progress Jun 2013 #101

do you people have aclue BigD_95 Jun 2013 #167

Bullshit! mimi85 Jun 2013 #194

I find her very convncing. Calm, resolute and quietly angry. The lawyer is trying hard to 1monster Jun 2013 #230

I don't thing the attorney is stupid josejimenez Jun 2013 #110

No immigration bill has been passed...probably won't be anytime soon. Sancho Jun 2013 #117

Which is not surprising since he isn't really listening to her answers. JDPriestly Jun 2013 #144

Good point. The challenge for the defense will be to make the facts that stick fit with THEIR KurtNYC Jun 2013 #171

That was freaking brilliant malaise Jun 2013 #9

Out of the mouths of babes (speaking metpahorically) . . . - nt HardTimes99 Jun 2013 #13

Yes! She is still a teenager, going to toe-to-toe with that knock knock joke lawyer. brush Jun 2013 #236

Ugh. The R word. bigwillq Jun 2013 #10

I think that young girl held her own just fine. nt alphafemale Jun 2013 #41

I didn't watch so I don't know. bigwillq Jun 2013 #42

Cursive is essentially a font. It's a symbol set. There are now thousands in common use. Thor_MN Jun 2013 #66

AN ART FORM? Mira Jun 2013 #81

I teach college English. About 1/2 of my students (including many who tblue37 Jun 2013 #78

By that logic, shorthand would be even better. Thor_MN Jun 2013 #102

Not necessarily. There are many other forms of "fast writing" tblue37 Jun 2013 #108

Is not Cursive but an idiosyncratic form of fast writing? Thor_MN Jun 2013 #118

Good post. theHandpuppet Jun 2013 #160

That term is now generally applied to videogames now actually. Neoma Jun 2013 #189

I found the same thing while working at a college. Many students don't know how to write in cursive. brush Jun 2013 #237

Cursive is basically printing without lifting the pen from the paper, letters joined together bike man Jun 2013 #152

There can be physical reasons why someone cannot read cursive. reusrename Jun 2013 #163

Very few schools still teach cursive. Unfortunately, the focus by state and federal education 1monster Jun 2013 #234

My aunt teaches 8th grade English October Jun 2013 #267

I suspect people failed that child in bigger ways than not prettying up her diction. MH1 Jun 2013 #45

I hope not either. bigwillq Jun 2013 #47

Lots of schools have stopped teaching cursive. prole_for_peace Jun 2013 #49

Shame on the schools then. bigwillq Jun 2013 #50

Every year my mother gives us birthday cards with a personal message written in cursive BeliQueen Jun 2013 #72

Yes bigwillq Jun 2013 #74

We are mortal. We have a limited amount of time and energy to spend on learning things, tblue37 Jun 2013 #84

That's just retarded, sir. bigwillq Jun 2013 #85

Well, you seem to be saying that EVERYTHING should be taught tblue37 Jun 2013 #91

Hey, I haven't used algebra since high school bigwillq Jun 2013 #93

But algebra--and other forms of math--are NOT obsolete. tblue37 Jun 2013 #103

Oops, sorry. bigwillq Jun 2013 #104

You think that's funny? PsychoBunny Jun 2013 #207

I'm willing to bet you have used algebra since high school -- just not the higher, more obscure 1monster Jun 2013 #238

Nope bigwillq Jun 2013 #246

Just an example. Figuring out how much money you have and how much 1monster Jun 2013 #248

....... snappyturtle Jun 2013 #90

I struggle to read my own father's cursive writing, truebluegreen Jun 2013 #249

I still write Palmer Method and that should still be taught. Auntie Bush Jun 2013 #106

Quite often, they print the letters and hook them together with little curved lines... 1monster Jun 2013 #239

Great response! elleng Jun 2013 #12

"Are you listening?" Sancho Jun 2013 #14

I cheered when she asked that! Auntie Bush Jun 2013 #21

There's a point where arrogance becomes stupidity. And he crossed that line. freshwest Jun 2013 #22

Boom AtomicKitten Jun 2013 #16

So calling someone "retarded" is now acceptable and funny? dkf Jun 2013 #18

Unfortunately, too many kids still use that word. femmocrat Jun 2013 #19

Well she is getting affirmation from posters above who think its funny. dkf Jun 2013 #20

I am not one for the "criminalization" of words. Hell Hath No Fury Jun 2013 #37

Correct WovenGems Jun 2013 #96

Oh so it's possible to use the n word in the proper context? dkf Jun 2013 #114

No WovenGems Jun 2013 #119

Spread the word to end the word... dkf Jun 2013 #121

Wait! WovenGems Jun 2013 #122

Did you see the PSA? dkf Jun 2013 #124

Why? WovenGems Jun 2013 #126

I can accept that she didn't know better. dkf Jun 2013 #129

Yes, it is. Hell Hath No Fury Jun 2013 #208

Indeed! mimi85 Jun 2013 #197

She clearly should've said, "I question the fundamental premise underlying your logic, sir." instead RufusTFirefly Jun 2013 #215

I think what the posters are affirming is not her word choice but the utter contempt pnwmom Jun 2013 #143

agreed. in fact, i would have replaced the word "real" with the word "fucking.." frylock Jun 2013 #214

I would like to expand on the definition Coccydynia Jun 2013 #57

Isn't the bad part that you are disparaging a class of people as an insult? dkf Jun 2013 #62

I would put it in the same category. femmocrat Jun 2013 #65

I feel the term gay is different, and actually Coccydynia Jun 2013 #76

Well, that is an interesting retort. Coccydynia Jun 2013 #69

This board is the very place that hammers it home. dkf Jun 2013 #73

I do understand that. And I think that Coccydynia Jun 2013 #86

This site explains it better than I can: femmocrat Jun 2013 #75

Thank you for that link. Very informative. Coccydynia Jun 2013 #79

I'm one of "those people" with a kid who is dx'd MR, and it offends me. Butterbean Jun 2013 #82

I certainly hope you don't think I was high fiving anyone. Coccydynia Jun 2013 #89

There are people giving high 5's upthread, one merely has to scroll. Butterbean Jun 2013 #95

Ok Coccydynia Jun 2013 #112

Another Substitution For Retarded DallasNE Jun 2013 #97

Much better choice. Well done! Coccydynia Jun 2013 #111

Now there's a word that a teenager for whom English is a third language should be able to eridani Jun 2013 #155

the heaven05 Jun 2013 #195

Arrogance Is In The Eye Of The Beholder DallasNE Jun 2013 #210

no heaven05 Jun 2013 #213

only people offended are the zimmerman defenders trumad Jun 2013 #24

NIT-PICKING Zimmerman defenders! arcane1 Jun 2013 #109

Ouch OwnedByCats Jun 2013 #137

+1000 heaven05 Jun 2013 #196

This message was self-deleted by its author devilgrrl Jun 2013 #253

If you have a complaint please make a statement. Tell us how you feel instead of asking idiot rhett o rick Jun 2013 #25

I've been told that is offensive, as is the N word and the C word. dkf Jun 2013 #31

So you cant pass up an opportunity for righteous indignation? We all agree that comments like hers rhett o rick Jun 2013 #36

It's the hypocrisy, especially on a board that is sensitive to how words are used. dkf Jun 2013 #39

Kinda like republicans who pose as Democrats I guess. Kingofalldems Jun 2013 #44

Sorry...card carrying and official member of the Democratic Party and not a socialist. dkf Jun 2013 #55

Out of line. theHandpuppet Jun 2013 #161

That's the crux of the matter pipi_k Jun 2013 #51

she's heaven05 Jun 2013 #200

I didn't see pipi_k Jun 2013 #206

keep heaven05 Jun 2013 #212

Once again. No one here is condoning what she said, just that she "stood her ground". nm rhett o rick Jun 2013 #187

Her friend was murdered. REP Jun 2013 #26

Nor do I. Chemisse Jun 2013 #94

I am such a dumbass that I don't know... Link Speed Jun 2013 #29

In earlier times is right. dkf Jun 2013 #33

"Acceptable" is an adjective. "Funny" is a noun. 1monster Jun 2013 #243

She didn't call anyone retarded. Merlot Jun 2013 #34

Did she call him retarded or 'that' roody Jun 2013 #38

She called no one retarded Kingofalldems Jun 2013 #40

EDIT: It is *NOT* acceptable to call an action or a person "retarded". mwooldri Jun 2013 #46

Not in my opinion. femmocrat Jun 2013 #68

Thank you, and I have amended my original one-liner NT post. mwooldri Jun 2013 #294

Exactly pokerfan Jun 2013 #136

I hope not NoGOPZone Jun 2013 #52

It's all in the context.. egduj Jun 2013 #59

No...it's about being respectful to a group of people who are hurt by its use. dkf Jun 2013 #87

What compulsion makes you hound the threads on this forum? Kolesar Jun 2013 #80

It's just a word. Chemisse Jun 2013 #98

The n word is also just a word like the c word is just a word. dkf Jun 2013 #100

Thank you. n/t Butterbean Jun 2013 #107

She said "That�s real retarded", not "You're real retarded" arcane1 Jun 2013 #105

Not a person. His claim! That's what she said was retarded. longship Jun 2013 #113

Have you never heard anyone explain why this is hurtful to the disabled community? dkf Jun 2013 #116

Fine. I agree. longship Jun 2013 #123

I excuse her. dkf Jun 2013 #127

Because West was being an asshole. Incitatus Jun 2013 #130

I guess it's because... longship Jun 2013 #132

It was hours of testimony. dkf Jun 2013 #139

Some us us don't have the time to watch the hours of testimony. Incitatus Jun 2013 #156

who heaven05 Jun 2013 #202

Quite obviously... jberryhill Jun 2013 #174

The witness wasn't really thinking about a cause right then. And don't you mean "Differently WinkyDink Jun 2013 #182

This was my thought OwnedByCats Jun 2013 #134

Apparently there are others who could also benefit. dkf Jun 2013 #140

Most definitely OwnedByCats Jun 2013 #153

Yes, it's such a shame that teenagers for whom English is a third language haven't memorized Rogets eridani Jun 2013 #157

I can excuse Rachel, who may not know OwnedByCats Jun 2013 #158

It's the only relevant English word she has access to eridani Jun 2013 #159

As I said, I can excuse Rachel - that is not OwnedByCats Jun 2013 #162

That's not the point... pipi_k Jun 2013 #209

FAIL! reusrename Jun 2013 #164

Right...she didn't say pipi_k Jun 2013 #211

Stop the faux-indignation, ok? WinkyDink Jun 2013 #180

for at least the tenth time in this thread, she did not call the attorney retarded, she said his niyad Jun 2013 #201

Congratulations on successfully hijacking this thread! 1monster Jun 2013 #244

Maybe we will all learn something from it. dkf Jun 2013 #257

As the stepmother of an autistic young man and the mother of a mildly autistic young man, 1monster Jun 2013 #263

As Sheldon Cooper would say: "Bazinga" GoneOffShore Jun 2013 #23

Yes, becasue his question was "hookum" all american girl Jun 2013 #71

she may not be polished and highly educated, but she is fiercely loyal and says what she thinks sad-cafe Jun 2013 #27

Exactly how I feel. mountain grammy Jun 2013 #32

Congratulations... homegirl Jun 2013 #58

+1 uponit7771 Jun 2013 #63

She's better'n me. I'd've been speechless. n/t Benton D Struckcheon Jun 2013 #28

that's real brilliant :)))) JackN415 Jun 2013 #35

Teen guys never lie. grok Jun 2013 #43

Context is everything ... GeorgeGist Jun 2013 #53

I always try and impress girls Shivering Jemmy Jun 2013 #56

And that I'm scared!!! alcibiades_mystery Jun 2013 #92

well heaven05 Jun 2013 #203

he wasn't trying to impress her JI7 Jun 2013 #131

just being sarcastic... grok Jun 2013 #133

There is not an iota of "sarcasm" in that post, unless your defintion differs from the norm. WinkyDink Jun 2013 #185

Yeah, nothing gets a teen girl hotter jeff47 Jun 2013 #146

Your post in the context of what was occurring is.......challenged. WinkyDink Jun 2013 #183

so...he lied about what exactly? noiretextatique Jun 2013 #223

I really, really love Rachel Jeantel. Firebrand Gary Jun 2013 #48

it was, based on the true meaning of the word fascisthunter Jun 2013 #54

She is holding her own... Historic NY Jun 2013 #60

Zimmerman's lawyers are establishing grounds for appeal Jack Rabbit Jun 2013 #61

+1 uponit7771 Jun 2013 #64

It's tough to fish when you got no bait . NM_Birder Jun 2013 #83

Owned. Lizzie Poppet Jun 2013 #77

Is this lawyer Zimmerman's brother in law?? tavernier Jun 2013 #88

Isn't there an Old Lawyers Rule? Turbineguy Jun 2013 #99

And, she called him, sir! "Asked and Answered" Cha Jun 2013 #125

The short video doesn't explain the context grok Jun 2013 #128

Wait a minute, Nelson was interviewing the witness? pokerfan Jun 2013 #138

Sorry not nelson, *West*. the guy that looks like 'Breaking Bad" grok Jun 2013 #148

Well, case closed, counselor! dpibel Jun 2013 #149

You are absolutely correct Sir. grok Jun 2013 #151

Is it possible that TM, who doesn't regularly live in this development, KurtNYC Jun 2013 #172

i believe he got lost because the creep was following him noiretextatique Jun 2013 #233

Exactly. AnotherMcIntosh Jun 2013 #240

That's retarded. reusrename Jun 2013 #165

I disagree with John2 Jun 2013 #173

'close' is a relative term handmade34 Jun 2013 #184

I heaven05 Jun 2013 #198

you are really desperately trying to alter the reality of what happpened noiretextatique Jun 2013 #225

Actually, i am convinced she is telling the truth grok Jun 2013 #232

She did great! Bryn Jun 2013 #147

That was rude, using an inappropriate word, and a perfect reply. uppityperson Jun 2013 #154

I get sick of people saying we can't B Calm Jun 2013 #170

People need to stop with the disingenuous "indignation" here. "Rachel said 'retarded'! She's PRE-JU- WinkyDink Jun 2013 #181

I took it John2 Jun 2013 #186

Repeating what I posted up pipi_k Jun 2013 #217

Either word would be OK PsychoBunny Jun 2013 #260

It's possible for two things to be true simultaneously. BlueCheese Jun 2013 #220

No excuse for the use of the word...none whatsoever...nt joeybee12 Jun 2013 #224

I was in the hospital labs waiting room EC Jun 2013 #227

My post on coded language Generic Other Jun 2013 #228

I think the R word is acceptable in her usage here. cbdo2007 Jun 2013 #241

You think? nolabels Jun 2013 #245

Whatever we think of the word, we cannot disagree on crim son Jun 2013 #242

I heard her say that... ReRe Jun 2013 #262

The real thing that has gotten retarded* here is the advancement of the discussion RVN VET Jun 2013 #273

Well, she swore an oath to tell the truth, right? zbdent Jun 2013 #292