This is another one of those posts that has grown out of an extensive Facebook post I made.
Unless you’re new here, I don’t have to tell you how I feel about the “r” word (for those of you who don’t know what the “r” word is, “retard” or any variation of it.) It literally makes me cringe when I hear it. However, apparently some people feel the same about the word moron. Yes, you read that right, they are offended by the word moron.
How did I find this out? I referred to someone as a moron. It’s a word I use relatively often. One person said it’s a hateful word and ranks right up there with “retard”. Come on now, really? I have, of course, been known to be incorrect at times, so I immediately went to my old friend Dictionary Dot Com, which defines moron as follows:
mo·ron (–noun)
1. a person who is notably stupid or lacking in good judgment.
2. Psychology . a person of borderline intelligence in a former classification of mental retardation, having an intelligence quotient of 50 to 69.
Therefore, my use of the word was correct. The person in question was being notably stupid AND lacking in good judgment. Since I was not speaking psychologically or in a psychological manner, I was using the word in an appropriate and NON-OFFENDING manner…or one would think. In my opinion, moron is also a synonym for stupid and stupid is a subjective word. In this instance, moron was a completely appropriate word to use and I apologized if I offended anyone.
Without using names, here are some of the arguments that were made for and against the use of the word moron.
moron = retard. just in a different era. Soon people will be saying the same thing about retard and something new will have taken it’s place.
just saying……
Of course, that just lead me to look up the word “retard”.
re·tard (–noun)
1. a slowing down, diminution, or hindrance, as in a machine.
2. Slang: Disparaging
a. a mentally retarded person.
b. a person who is stupid, obtuse, or ineffective in some way: a hopeless social retard.
Therefore, the words moron and retard have VERY different definitions. I think it’s ridiculous to state the word retard and moron are interchangeable and that the use of one supports the acceptability of the other!
Back to the comments….
OK, I was holding off chiming in here, but now I feel I have to. Sometimes we have to vent. Sometimes we have to vent at people who act badly. Sometimes we use words like “moron” or even “retard.” Doesn’t mean we’re being insensitive. Doesn’t mean we’re prejudiced. It just means we need a word that will express our feelings. I too have a child with… See More Down Syndrome and am not offended, or affected, in the least, by the use of that terminology, except when it’s expressly directed at someone who doesn’t deserve it. Sorry folks, if someone is being “stupid, or lacking in judgement,” then they can be called a moron. Language is an evolving thing, and moron really doesn’t mean what it once did. Let’s all give the gal a break.
okay then i guess its okay to use the retard word.. language evolving and all. i cant believe i am having this conversation with people that should know better. please dont apologize for offending me, im not offended so much as disapointed and thats all im going to say about that.
we all have to be so PC today, we are afraid to say anything.let’s look at the INTENTION of the word, instead of the word itself( if possible).
the problem is not really with the words we use. it’s the implied insult being hurled that if you have ds/dd you are stupid and to be disdained. NOT that I think YOU meant that, which is why the whole topic gets very convoluted because the word means very different things to different people.”moron’ wouldn’t ruffle my feathers much, but call someone a retard in my presence and there is reflex action involving my back hand that I don’t apologize for 
In the old days people were classified as idiots, morons or retards according to their IQ score. (Idiots had the lowest IQ, then morons and then “retards”) Nobody really uses the term idiot or moron these days, but use of the r-word still goes on.
I respectfully have to say that I think you are missing the point CJ, woud you call someone a “retard”? It also means stupid. I’m sorry, you can defend your choice of words, but I cannot agree with your rationale. I feel within my freedom I’m still responsible to advocate for my princess and for respect for all people who have difference that are not always valued by others.
Just in response, I would NEVER refer to anyone as a retard. Ever. I don’t feel the words “retard” and “moron” can be used interchangeably, nor do I agree they have the same definition…which is my point.
This one is one of my very favorite responses!
Advocating the appropriate use of the word retarded is because like it or not that word is tied to my child for life. It is a medical term that is written on almost every document written about him. So when it is used as slang it takes an everyday necessary word and gives it negative vibes. I have never seen the word moron written on anything with *my son’s* name on it. I have also never heard the word moron used in any way other than to mean moronic. How is it any different than butthole or poo poo head or anything else you call someone you are discusted and pissed at? Retard does not MEAN stupid. Retard means to delay the growth of or slow. PEOPLE made it mean stupid by using it as slang. I feel Retarded was a very accurate word to describe a condition that my child has, until society took it and changed it and gave it the power to hurt.
Thus by your rationale, once the word retard is no longer used to describe your son you will be okay with it’s use as a disparaging label? In Canada (and many states and other countries) the word retard is no longer used as medical terminology because of the connotations associated with it. That is exactly why the professional community stopped using “moron” decades ago. So I guess in thirty years it will be okay, according to you, to call people a retard or retarded then (of course only if they deserve it!).
I think you the point.
Where do we draw the line? No matter WHAT you say, you’re going to offend someone. Is stupid ok? How about idiot? Door knob?
Weeks ago we had another conversation on Facebook regarding the use of the word retard on a loaf of bread and many felt the word was used appropriately and were not offended. It was used well within the intended definition of the word. It pointed out the ingredient that retarded (or slowed) the mold process.
In my opinion, part of advocacy is encouraging the CORRECT use of a word. Many words have multiple definitions. Why is it not appropriate to use a word as it is defined without using it defensively?
What’s your opinion? Are the words “moron” and “retard” synonyms? Are they comparably defined? Does the word “moron” offend you when you hear it used?
*Don’t forget the baby blog is now public!
Are we becoming overly politically correct? Do we need to start a huge campaign with big red cross outs of the letter “M”?
“The notion of political correctness declares certain topics, certain expressions, even certain gestures off-limits. What began as a crusade for civility has soured into a cause of conflict and even censorship.”
-George Bush
And yes, I just posted a quote by my least favorite Republican. At least he said SOMETHING intelligent!
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