Do you use the word "retarded" as a slur?

I used to use it a lot more than I do now.
I'm just now getting into the fire service, and let me tell you - the words said here aren't pretty.
So when I'm around the guys, I'm more likely to let it slip.

The rest of the time, I try to be pretty conscious of the fact that it offends many many people.

I grew up in a household where my dad didn't really care about the use of the word. He took it for its literal latin definition, so I grew up thinking similarly.
Nowadays, it has a different connotation for me, so I try to use it respectfully.

 

I used to when I was young and stupid, but now I've matured I would never dream of it.

Happy days

 

I remember hearing "re-tard" in school an awful lot. I also remember the explosive reaction of a teacher on hearing it (never knew a face could go so red!)

 

I did use it a few times. Kind of ashamed of it now, but in my defence, I had no idea what it meant. I thought it just meant "stupid". I looked up the meaning of the word when everyone started behaving immaturely when we learnt about "retardation" in middle school physics and I wondered what it actually meant. Haven't used it since then.

 

No. It's a really horrible word, no matter if someone tries to pass it off as "I was just using the original/literal definition." I haven't used it for almost a year, and I intend to keep that habit.

 

I don't usually say "retard(ed)." I say "stupid" or "dumb." I never felt good using it, maybe because it was used as a designation for "low-IQ" people in the past, same as "feeble-minded, "imbecile," and "moron." But the other words don't have as much social stigma attached to it. Maybe the Sanford Binet tests used "retard" most recently and that's why it throws off the PC sirens, but "imbecile" was probably used earlier and few people have recollections of it as they do with "retarded."

I'm rambling now, better go to sleep .

 

No, I don't. And I hate when people (my age) say things like "disabled" or "paraplegic" or "paralytic" as a slur. I don't know about your countries, but here it's a slang, and I want to punch in the face whoever use them.

 

I used to but, now I hardly swear now.. I only say F***, B****, A**, or M***** F*****.

Thats it really.

 

Yeah, I don't care for political correctness.

 

Not anymore. It's an aweful thing to say

 

Yes. PC police vs free speech, I tell you.
Curse words are curses due to their negative connotations, aren't they?
I think people obsess over the words themselves while ignoring the sentiments behind it.

 

As a person with a mild disabilities I think the word retarded should never be used to describe a severe mentally disabled person. The word just sounds offensive no matter how you use it and someone needs to pick a better word to define someone who is severely disabled. I even remember just because of my disability I was stereotyped as retarded based on my lack of coordination and speech problem.

 

I don't say it, it makes me uncomfortable to hear other people say it aswell.

 

I used to say it a lot when i was younger, but then, one day i accidentally said "that's fucking retarded" in front of my retarded cousin.. Since then i have never used the word again.. it's like saying "thats gay" when someone refer to something bad(not that i get offended, but yeah)

 

I use to but now I feel its mean and offensive to, I know some handicapped people their all really sweet.

 

I only used it like a couple times when I was 13, when I didn't know what it meant. Until I learned what it meant, I immediately stopped using it. I really hate the word. Like kids in my school think it's so cool to throw around that word and it just makes them look pathetic.

 

I used it at school was trying to be clever but to me its offensive calling someone that . my twin step brothers use it often but never in ear shot of mum:tantrum:.

 

No. I don't like the idea of "retarded" being used as a slur. Being compared to a person should never be an insult. But I'm idealistic and likely to tell someone they are crazy or they are a creeper. PC does have to end somewhere. But I try to avoid the word "retarded" as an insult.