daredevilkink | Discussion/Off-Topic Post #1

I think it depends on what country you're from? The word "spazz" would be on the same level as calling someone a "dork" from my pov. Slightly insulting but not remotely offensive.

SA

This reminds me a lot of the word "retard" tho. I think in the US it's still considered okay to use it, even amongst medical professionals, but in other countries it's a really offensive word to use.

'retard' is definitely considered derogatory in the US too

maybe not as extremely in some places but I wouldn't use it and I'd be taken aback by anyone who did

^+1

By pretty much all of the developmentally disabled/intellectually disabled community, it is absolutely not okay to say or use r*tard, and there have been huge (and in many places very successful) campaigns to stop everyone from using it, because it is such a dehumanizing slur. Some neurotypical/ableist people still use, mind you, but in a lot of greater social contexts (newspapers etc) it is considered extremely did-you-just-fucking-say-that taken-aback offensive.

(Apologies if I come off as angry--I mean more to be educational, because as a mentally disabled person from the US, it's kind of an important issue to me).

I find this one interesting, because it's actually a case of the reverse of some of these.

Speaking from personal experience, I remember when I figured out that "jewing the price down" was an ethnic slur. (My brain had made a connection to "jaw," instead.) Similarly for "gyp." I don't know that I've ever used "spaz," but if I have, it was probably self-referential, and referred to a moment when I approximated somebody having actual spasms. ("I was so excited because I knew the answer that I couldn't spit it out! I just spazzed instead [referring to the jerky, uncontrollable motions my body went through], and my opponent won.") I'm not sure whether I should stop using that term or not. (For the record, I am American.)

But "retard" has a much older meaning, meaning "to stop or slow." It's pronounced differently when used that way, with the accent on the second syllable, but pronunciation isn't communicated online. I stay away from the accent-on-the-first-syllable version of "retard" for the reasons given above. But, since I have been known to talk about how "dear" something is when I mean "expensive," (and remember! I'm American!) I am quite capable of having my brain in another century or culture and using the other meaning of "retard." And both "retarded"s are pronounced the same, anyhow.

This post doesn't really have a point, except me musing about the etymology of certain words. In case you're wondering.

No, 'retard' is really offensive in the U.S. as well, and is definitely not used by medical professionals (except perhaps in its verb form, ie 'to retard the growth').

This doesn't mean people don't say it, but it's definitely a slur with negative implications.

OP
I'm from the UK. And, I'm sorry, but I think if you asked disabled people in America if they found it offensive, they'd agree with me. It's often a common conversation topic on twitter if you'd like to look it up.

DA. Question, did the term only become 'offensive' to Americans due to cross cultural communication? I've always used spaz, I don't found it offense. It's like the word wanker to me. It's kind of meaningless.

Op
Is it possible that it's meaningless because you use it without knowing what it means? Either way insulting someone or something by equating it to masturbating is hardly the same thing as negatively equating something to a disability.

As for when people started being offended. It's hard to say cos you'll get a different answer from different people. Some will say it's always been offensive outside of it's medical use but it's only communication with people from other ccountries that's created the social movement to get it stamped out of daily vocabulary. Then you get some people who say awareness has worked both ways
It's only the past 10 years that "coloured" has become nationally recognised as offensive in the UK and saying it regardless of intent is considered racist. Say it in an American space and get piled on. Say it as a 60 year old in Blackpool... aware people might wince but hey, it wasn't meant in a bad way so what's the problem? Tranny is another one.

We take our cues from America on a lot of issues, I don't understand why it doesn't work both ways, especially when disabled Americans want it too.

I'm American. I work in mental health and have several physical and mental disabilities.

I find the term very offensive. My opinion has nothing to do with cross-cultural communication, and everything to do with the etymology of the word. It trivializes a medical symptom that can tremendously impact people's lives on every level.

Discussion/Off-Topic Post #1

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