Wikepedia states

“Much like today’s socially acceptable terms idiot and moron, which are also defined as some sort of mental disability, when the term retard is being used in its pejorative form, it is usually not being directed at people with mental disabilities. Instead, people use the term when teasing their friends or as a general insult.”

Is it only a slur if directed at soneone with mental disabilities? Is it a slur if durected at onself?

Whats lemmies take on this?

  • bionicjoey@lemmy.ca
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    2 months ago

    As someone on the autism spectrum, I don’t mind using it or hearing people use it at all, as long as it’s being used as a synonym for “dumb” and not being used to specifically disparage someone with a disability. Just like “idiot”, words evolve over time from being specific words to refer to disabilities to just general words for someone being a dumbass.

    • ABCDE@lemmy.world
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      2 months ago

      Dumb is also to describe someone who is disabled. Like yourself, I’m ASD, and don’t really mind it, as long as it’s not being used in a nasty way.

      Idiot I didn’t realise, thanks for the education.