this post was submitted on 05 Apr 2026
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I don't understand how people think it's such a big deal anyway. I mean, it's functionally the same thing as calling someone a moron or an idiot or an imbecile, yet I don't know anyone who has any problem with those words. All are obsolete medical terms for intellectually disabled people, used in modern parlance to insult someone's intellect.
Where I'm from people use it frequently, but never about disabled people. They just mean stupid. In that capacity I agree, it's literally the same on every level as idiot, moron, imbecile, feeble-minded, dumb, etc.
If someone uses the word to refer to a mentally handicapped or disabled person, we're gonna fight. If you call attacking Iran retarded, I agree wholeheartedly.
This is the correct way of thinking.
Anyone trying to sell something different is either a psyop dipshit trying to sew division or a self-rigtheous fart smelling wokescold who was duped by the psyop.
My thoughts exactly.
I was an AuDHD kid in the 90s. That specific word was thrown at me a lot by both adults and my peers, especially because I lose the ability to speak when I'm stressed/overstimulated. I guess it still hurts when I hear it or read it, and going off this thread that's a "me" problem. Definitely regret posting my original comment
Yeah back in the 90s it was still in use in some diagnostic criteria, even though it was already considered dated then. These days I don't think it's used in a medical capacity anywhere anymore.
I don't think it's solely a you problem as many people do consider the term too offensive to use, but it is one of those words the jury is divided on, with just as many people using it nonchalantly. I expect over time it'll be no different from moron or idiot.