Are you offended by the use of the word "retarded" as an insult?

No.

I am more offended by too much political correctness. All this talk about Austistic people (including us Aspies) "on the spectrum" is more irksome to me.

Also, I happen to know my English a bit better than some and feel that the word "retarded" is entirely fitting in some situations and to use it *solely* to refer to the intellectually disabled is inaccurate if not outright selfish.

Intellectual disability is not the only reason that some people are slow or have a limited ability to learn. Many of the people that are referred to as "retarded" have demonstrated a profound lack of knowledge that it is thought that they should have; they are behind their peers in some way.
Or maybe they did something unwise and *should* have known better. Kind of like a brain fart only with more forethought.

And then there are other uses of the word. Would you be offended if I told you that the ignition timing on my old Toyota was retarded?

No, I have mentally challenged people in my family.

No. I like to call people retarded. Normally, I can think of a better way to insult someone, but sometimes just asking people "Are you retarded or something?" and then laughing when you find out that they actually are is the best way to go about it.

It doesn't offend me any more than Atlanta Braves fans doing the tomahawk chop (I'm not a baseball fan, but I grew up in the Atlanta area). I tend to be fairly pragmatic when it comes to such things, and am able to understand the intent when such things occur. +5

No. I grew up in the days when that word was used to describe the "intellectually disabled". By the way, is that a new one? Last I heard it was Mentally challenged. Before that Mentally retarded...

I have a sibling who is "intellectually disabled". the term "retarded" was actually not duerogatory when I was a kid. I still use the term accidentally occasionally, but I never mean it as a bad word, if I say my sister is retarded, its because she is. I do think people who make fun of retarded people are lame, its REALLY easy, and not particularly clever to make fun of them, and they cant fight back, so it comes of as ignorant and cowardly.

retarded is just a word. it has no power unless you give it power.

My son is retarded. Personally, I can't stand the politically correct pussyfooting around you see from a bunch of liberals who haven't a clue what they're talking about. "Retarded" is only an insult if you choose to allow it to become one.

Yes Polly it does. But I just let those who are truly ignorant stay that way.

tbh, Retarded and retard are both in the english dictionary, they mean slow or slow on arrival, so if an "intellectually disabled" person is slow, meaning they don't get things as quick as others, then surely its okay to say it because it's not exactly a bad word?

No it doesn't offend me at all. WHen or if I say it, I don't mean in reference to the mentally handicapped... Otherwise that is what I would say.


What offends me is when people say things like Mongoloid or Cripple.

Retarded is in the dictionary and a mentally handicapped person shouldn't be called retarded in the first place if you ask me.

Yes, it does. It is almost a default insult to be used by people with insufficient vocabulary for anything better.

No..it's retarded that you're offended by it. And also a little gay if you don't mind me saying. Plus how many retards are actually referred to as retards anymore? I never hear it. I only hear it when people are calling non retards, tards or re's.

I would feel offended if someone refered to my MENTALLY CHALLENGED child as a retard. To me a retard is someone who knows better but just keeps doing stupid things all the time.
There is more than 1 definition for the word.
re⋅tard  /rɪˈtɑrd, for 1–3, 5; ˈritɑrd for 4/ Show Spelled Pronunciation [ri-tahrd, for 1–3, 5; ree-tahrd for 4] Show IPA
–verb (used with object) 1. to make slow; delay the development or progress of (an action, process, etc.); hinder or impede.

–verb (used without object) 2. to be delayed.

–noun 3. a slowing down, diminution, or hindrance, as in a machine.
4. Slang: Disparaging. a. a mentally retarded person.
b. a person who is stupid, obtuse, or ineffective in some way: a hopeless social retard.

5. Automotive, Machinery. an adjustment made in the setting of the distributor of an internal-combustion engine so that the spark for ignition in each cylinder is generated later in the cycle.

Nope.

I'm not sure if offended is the word...I'm bothered by it. I don't like it. Retarded has several specific meanings, but I don't think it should be used in that context. Then again, I think all name-calling is inappropriate. I just don't feel like people should treat each other that way.

The only thing I know about in the retarded line is the little handle on the steering whell of very old motor cars that either retarded or advanced the spark to get the thing to run.

I do not like the word "retarded" but nor do I like the word "disabled" - disabled seems to have a negative connotation, which implies that there are things you cannot do - this applies equally when used in mental or physical conditions. Dis-abled implies tha an ability was there, or should be there, but has been removed. Am i disabled because I wear glasses? Are people disabled if they cannot swim? Or if they cannot work with numbers? (I just do not understand numbers, but have a couple of degrees, so am clearly not thick).
I prefer to use the term "special educational needs" - ok, it is not perfect, but it works a little better than disabled. In fact, retarded might seem to be more accurate in some cases than disabled - taking the original meaning of retarded as being late - a late developer.
Incidentally, as a French teacher, my kids always find it funny when theuy are late, and i tell them they are en retard! (un retard!)

Yes, it offends me. A lot of the language here is offensive. Some people think nothing of using curse words throughout their answers too calling others names. People also use the word Gay as a put down. I know that there are AB users who are very very young and others who have various sexual orientations. Using the word retarded as an insult to someone is equally as bad. Lets face it, not everyone here is a class act. I am glad you brought this up. Maybe people will choose their words more carefully. One can only hope so. +4
(I have no problem with sexual context if used in the adult sections or...if it is really really funny. I didn't say I was such a class act did I? I am trying.lol)

Pollymath, I have two mentally challenged patients whom I adore greatly. And it really saddens me that some people are so insensitive towards people with disabilities they can not control. And those who choose to use this word to offend others, unfortunately are disabled in the sense of choosing appropriate words to express themselves better.

Nope. Takes a lot more than that to offend me.

No, I have been called much worse and although I may not be the brightest candle in the box I know I am not retarded.

It's just an alternative referance to dunce, stupid, ignorant and dumb. If your offended by it, it's probably because of the context in which you recieved it.

Nah, a handicap person called me retarded once.

As someone who has worked with, and lived with, those with mental and physical disabilities, I am not insulted when someone uses the word retarded.

It depends on how it's used. I think it's used so much now that some people are just immune to it. I would get offended if someone said "Don't be a retard" or "he's a retard". But it affects me less if someone were to say something like "That's retarded". It may sound stupid but that's just the way I look at it. Personally I don't think it should be used at all. Just like: "That's gay". +3

I'm not offended by it and I use it at home....But I don't use it here because i understand this is a public forum and not my living room......Just like Obama and the Special Olympic comment save it for your living room.....Other people don't get my humor all the time (mostly because it isn't funny I think LOL) so I try to keep it under control.

It sounds like you have encounted a few on AB

No I'm not offended but feel is just as bad as a racial slur. I'm more irritated with things like that than offended.

i worked with what we call "retarded" in my profession as nurse......... this is a put down. sigh.

Nope, it doesn't. I'm not retarded

I wonder if some people use inflammatory words to try to get more people to visit their question (up their points?) or if they're just not very bright. I'm sure you've also noticed the large number of people who can't spell, either.

Well yes , my brother in - law is that way and I'll bet it has a easier time getting to heaven , than most of us

No. It takes alot to offend me. I'm sure the mentally challenged would be offended by it if they weren't retarded.

Retarded: To cause to move or proceed slowly; delay or impede.

You can try to pretty it up if you want to but both "retarded" and "intellectually disabled" mean the same thing. And, "intellectually disabled" doesn't exactly sound very nice either.

Nah. The nice thing about it is that you can say retarded and the people you are talking about won't really grasp what you're saying because, that's right, they're retarded.
If you are dealing wth someone who is only borderline retarded then you can just instead say 'tard and it will fly right past their heads.

To a degree, for they could use a better word than that. Also it shows how un mature they are.

Yes it does. I have also worked with disabled children and to top it off my brother is disabled. So when people use this word so casually it really annoys me!

I would be upset if someone said I was retarded. I wouls feel offended by that word.

Like all insults of this kind, it is comparing someone with a group of people you feel are inferior to your good self. It is surprising how many of these insults there are, and how often you hear them.

It does a bit ... sometimes it's just kids using the term ignorantly, but it can be quite offensive to people with disabilities who have been called that in a negative context.

it is the word that is oficially used why change it ! thats what they are!bless them, i cant see how it is insulting to use exceping that its used sometimes as an insult betwen morons, its about time we had a brigade against the pc brigade! long past time!

We all say different words without any meanings attached to it like fu.k,sh.t,ars..ole and so on but we do not take them literally.Like they say that they have a black president really does not mean anything derogatory.Those who say it intentionally they have the mean streak and we can just stay away from them.

If you are truly offended by a WORD then you are retarded, sticks and stones baby.....

the people i work for are "developmentally disabled". We refer to them as 'consumers' or 'individuals' The word 'retarded' is not politically correct nor is it polite. Its not nice to call people names anyway - another one of the useful things i learned in kindergarten.

No, because I don't consider handicapped people "retarded". If I say someone is a retard, I mean it in the "Carlos Mencia" kind of way. Not that they have a physical disability but that they're really f*cking stupid, and I wonder how in the hell they dress themselves in the morning!
To call someone who is handicapped retarted would be saying that while they're handicapped, they're stupid. That IMO isn't the case. At least, this is what I have adapted and stick with.

I don't think people should use words like "retarded" or "gay" or whatever as derogatory (sp?). I personally think that when you do that, you are more putting down people who are gay or mentally challenged or whatever, because you are saying it's a bad thing, and that's just not right.

I changed my tune on this a few years back. I used to not have a problem with it. Now it bothers me as I have seen the other side of this coin.

I have a good friend with a mentally handicapped sister and he asked me to use a different term. It bothers him and my vocabulary is rich, so I changed it.

I am not but, I know someone that is..and I have to watch what I say around them because I say "that's retarded" alot. Same deal with saying "that's gay".

na ..thats retarted ..lol