The 'M' Word

[threespires]

Just a piece of information for people who use the term 'idiot' and may not be aware it's still an offensive word.

Words sometimes mutate in meaning and lose their power/offensiveness over time. Sadly though this word is still used as a derogatory and abusive term for people with Down's Syndrome and for people with other learning disabilities. It continues to cause distress to both people with an LD and to their families.

Ultimately it's up to each individual how they choose to express themselves but it occured to me that some people might simply not realise that it causes upset to some of our most vulnerable members of society and if they did they might therefore want to discontinue using it.

 

[Uwe Already]

Word I’ve not heard since the 80’s - can I ask what caused you to start this thread?

 

[hilts]

Word I’ve not heard since the 80’s - can I ask what caused you to start this thread?

Someone used it on this very site today, people don't think or are just generally insensitive.

 

[threespires]

Word I’ve not heard since the 80’s - can I ask what caused you to start this thread?

I have seen it used a few times in recent weeks on the forum including this weekend. By and large I don't think people are malicious in the context of this forum maybe just not thinking about or even knowing it's history.

 

[Barcon]

Word I’ve not heard since the 80’s - can I ask what caused you to start this thread?

Some fuckhead used a version of it on here today. Ironically, they spelled the word wrong.

 

[bluesmith]

Just a piece of information for people who use the term 'idiot' and may not be aware it's still an offensive word.

Words sometimes mutate in meaning and lose their power/offensiveness over time. Sadly though this word is still used as a derogatory and abusive term for people with Down's Syndrome and for people with other learning disabilities. It continues to cause distress to both people with an LD and to their families.

Ultimately it's up to each individual how they choose to express themselves but it occured to me that some people might simply not realise that it causes upset to some of our most vulnerable members of society and if they did they might therefore want to discontinue using it.

You're right, a lot of the time it's not meant as offensive, a lad at work in a fairly senior position always says what a idiot/spaz/idiot he's generally talking about himself and means no offence by it, pulled him up on it as a heads up and he was mortified, but appreciated me saying it. Think it's just a bit of education - so good post.

 

[threespires]

You're right, a lot of the time it's not meant as offensive, a lad at work in a fairly senior position always says what a idiot/spaz/idiot he's generally talking about himself and means no offence by it, pulled him up on it as a heads up and he was mortified, but appreciated me saying it. Think it's just a bit of education - so good post.

I think that's it, some people just use that language to be cruel but with many more it's just unthinking. Sometimes words do lose their original meaning and become diluted but that's not the case here. There's loads of older people with a learning disability who remember from the 70s and 80s regularly being called these names to their faces. Unfortunately abuse of disabled people is back on the rise again and isn't taken particularly seriously. I think it'd be helpful if people can be encouraged to not normalise this type of language In the way it was in the past.

 

[bluesmith]

I think that's it, some people just use that language to be cruel but with many more it's just unthinking. Sometimes words do lose their original meaning and become diluted but that's not the case here. There's loads of older people with a learning disability who remember from the 70s and 80s regularly being called these names to their faces. Unfortunately abuse of disabled people is back on the rise again and isn't taken particularly seriously. I think it'd be helpful if people can be encouraged to not normalise this type of language In the way it was in the past.

Fully agree, and it's easy to call out, it's not subjective it's just not on.

 

[mexico1970]

It's a word that is making a comeback, it's not a nice one it's just bad.

 

[threespires]

It's a word that is making a comeback, it's not a nice one it's just bad.

A few years back one of our biggest comedians decided it wasn't offensive any more and made repeated use of it. In the end he relented and apologised I think, but that wasn't helpful imo.

Whilst there are a few people who know exactly what they are doing with the word I'd like to think for many it's just lack of appreciation and having had it pointed out they wouldn't want to upset people who by and large can't defend themselves.