Now that it seems decided that the word “weird” should be used in a derogatory way against sociopathic narcissists in politics, I have to be careful about how i use this word.
In the recent years, I usually used it to describe someone or something that was different in an interesting and charming way. I am neurodivergent in a way that is easily hidden (not that I make coucious efforts to hide it), I would often describe myself as just “slightly weird”. I no longer want to use this word to describe myself anymore because of the above mentioned reasons.
In old literature, I’ve seen the word queer used as such, but today it doesn’t really carry that meaning anymore. Although I wouldn’t really mind if it confused people about my gender, I don’t really worry about that. 😁
Any other suggestions ro help describe myself that wouldn’t put the focus of the discussion on neurotypes?
There is good weird and bad weird, no harm in calling someone good weird. If you really want alternatives: Quirky, Unusual, eccebtric, interesting. However and such word can also be an insult in the right context
Weird is good. Own it.
For real. Keep using weird.
I’m tired seeing politicians talk about everything but their actual policies. Hope they actually say stuff of substance like oh I don’t know their policies?
Weird can be good…sometimes, depending on the context.
This is how all words become squanch.
Agreed.
- Eccentric
- “A wide variety of interests”
Eccentric is a good alternative.
I’m still quite happy using weird in a positive light. I feel context is always important for a word. Plenty of words have double meanings depending on context.
Quirky, unique, eccentric, remarkable, mystifying, fantastic, unconventional, offbeat.
if you’re referring to yourself I’d prefer ‘quirky’ because it has less of a self-aggrandizing quality to it. More neutral per se
Eccentric, mystifying, unconventional, and offbeat all have varying levels of ‘polite judgment’ or condescension inherent to them so should be used carefully when referring to others.
Unique, remarkable, and fantastic are the more complimentary versions.
I think “quirky” as a self-descriptor got pretty heavily stigmatized during the 2010s, though. Like if someone self-identifies as “quirky”, the first thing that comes to my mind is the *holds up spork* copypasta. I actually personally really like offbeat, as long as you use a modifier like “a bit”.
Yes. It’s a shame, but these things seem to happen. I’m just sorry for Al.
The classic term might be eccentric. But I don’t know you have to be rich for that.
Odd?
If something is positively weird I typically just call it “interesting” though it won’t work in all instances.
A little peculiar.
A tad perplexing.
Great discussion about this topic here: https://sopuli.xyz/post/15705393
… if someone is called weird and they agree with you, they are the good weird, but if you call them weird and they get defensive/aggressive they are the bad weird …
Hehe, I’ll have a read on that thread.
Are you literally going out of your way to deliberately remove any positive connotation from a word in order to try and artificially manufacture a slur?
Pretty weird.
Outlandish, bizarre, unusual, strange, bizarre, unique, uncanny, queer (this one has extra connotations but has been reclaimed)
Quirky is definitely the best fit, if you are worried about an ambiguous context using a descriptor.
Still, don’t discard weird as a word altogether like a slur so quickly. “Keep Portland Weird”, “Weird Al Yankovic”, still describes stuff that are a little unusual but cool to be around, and the fact that this word comes up in the context of US politics shouldn’t remove one of the word’s many meanings.
A guy at a bar who always shows up with round sunglasses and a tie dye shirt, ordering a glass of milk is the cool kind of weird. A guy who spends all their time talking about themselves are the annoying antisocial kind of weird. Someone who sits next to a washroom staring at the ass of every person going in and out of it is the creep kind of weird.
I was just thinking about “quirky” because my sister-in-law recently used it to describe her daughter. Her contrasting word (for her son) was “straightforward.”
Personally, I fit the former even though I’ve learned to “pass for normal.” NOT my words. That was a direct quote and it was meant as a compliment. Weird is definitely meant as an insult in the US Midwest.
Difference enthusiast is fun.
As someone who has identified specifically as ‘weird’ or a ‘weirdo’, I’m happy to keep using the term. I don’t think anyone’s going to confuse my queer-esque anti-heirarchical neurodivergency for whatever the fuck is wrong with those fascist assholes.
Honestly I would just keep self-describing as “weird” if I were you. If it really is damé to do so, then use a thesaurus; or if you’re multilingual, be a little macaronic.
