to think Ricky Gervais is a twat of the highest order

[HeidiKat]

Talking point on the Wright stuff just now, RG claiming that he is doing nothing wrong by using the word "mong" in his comedy and it merely means a stupid person now rather than Downs Syndrome. I was no big fan of his before but now I actively loathe the smug cunt.

[Deflatedballoonbelly]

But... but... Words DO change. It doesnt make it less offensive but words do change. I see no malice whatsoever and I also feel a few people on my twitter feed are 'choosing' to be offended. If you have a child who has downs syndrome I can see exactly why they feel offended but RG does mean no harm

Please do not think I am supporting him, Im not. Im just trying to see the other side tbh.

[RoxyRobin]

He is a controversialist of the highest order. He will be enjoying all the attention; best just ignore him.

[BabyDubsEverywhere]

I think hes funny. Sorry.

[LowLevelStabbing]

he's not coming out of this well.

You don't have to have a child with DS to find the word offensive

yes words do change, but the fact is this word is still offensive and actually oppressive to people with learning disabilities.

[troisgarcons]

Words to change in meaning - 'gay' is the most obvious example of this.

However, I was always under the impression the word 'mong' enjoyed new popularity through Australian soaps, where it is liberally used as a derivative of 'mongrel'.

'Tard' is another one being used more requently.

[FanjoForTheMuahahammaries]

YANBU

[TheBestWitch]

But people still regularly use the word 'mong' to insult people with Down's Syndrome. People don't regularly tend to use the word 'gay' to mean happy anymore so his argument is flawed.
He also seems to be morphing into his earnest, laughable David Brent character more and more by the day.
YANBU - he's a cunt.

[troisgarcons]

The evolution of 'gay' has gone from homosexual to everyday usage to mean something naff... ie the weather is gay today, home work is gay, - listen to teenagers! 'gay' must me the second most common word out of their mouth next to 'innit'.

[TheBestWitch]

It's still used to describe gay people.My sister is gay and so are a lot of her friends. A lot of them are not impressed that 'gay' is used to describe something shit. I won't be happy if I find dd using it in that why. And nor will her friends under my roof.

[FrankNCock]

Words do change, this word hasn't.

[Deflatedballoonbelly]

I have never ever inn my 30 years heard anyone call someone a mong whilst meaning someone with DS or SN. We used to call people mongooses at school and it was always shortened to mong. Still, I have never heard that word be used in a derrogatory way.

I still dont agree with him though. Like i said, i dont share his views.

[faverolles]

He is a complete Twat, and I think someone his age would surely know better than to call people Mong.

However, I do know some teenagers who use the word, but they would be horrified if they thought it was being really offensive. In their case, I would agree with the suggestion that it is short for mongrel, because in their lifetime, people with DS, are referred to as that, not as mongols, as they were when I was a child.

[Dawndonna]

As I said on another thread, in a society which aims to please Daily Fail readers, whereby hate crime directed at those with disabilities and differences has significantly increased, Gervaise is making it acceptable to target groups. It's ignorant, wrong and dangerous, Gervaise is just to damn arrogant and thick to realise it.

[TheBestWitch]

I have heard people with Down's Syndrome called mongs manyn many times as a child. Never as an adult although I have no doubt that some vile adults would.

[Pagwatch]

Words do change.
This one hasn't
He should try and restrict his comedy to those in a position to defend themselves.
He is Bernard Manning tbh.

[AugustMoon]

Watching his stand-up show the other day I was laughing one minute and thinking "oh, you twunt" the next

[Pakdooik]

I don't think he is funny. Just unpleasant and sneering. Probably third in line to be up against the wall when the revolution comes after Bruce Forsyth and Cilla

[MissVerydead]

He is a sell-out trying to appeal to the lowest common denominantor; a Simon Pegg wannabe.

[OneHandFlapping]

I had no idea that "mong", which is a common insult among teens round here, and seems to mean "ugly", had any connection with DS people.

It's lucky I've never used it.

[Glitterknickaz]

Mind you I'm not exactly impressed with Simon Pegg either due to his using the word 'joey'

[BupcakesandHaunting]

I used to say "mong" when I was about fourteen, before I had a grasp of what it actually meant. Now I am a fully grown adult, I don't.

RG doesn't even have the excuse of being a silly kid. He knows full well what it means and he's a stupid fat greasy stupid fat idiot cunt.

[OneHandFlapping]

Joey? Aren't they baby kangaroos?

[wigglesrock]

As I said on the other thread - he's a self serving dick behaving like a 12 year old. I am 37 and "mong" has always been connected to ridiculing those with Downs Syndome. The word has got piss all to do with mongrol, it comes from mongoloid and ignorance really is no excuse.

Has Ricky Gervais decided to change the meaning of the word all by himself, because certainly where I live its use is solely as an insult and to mock those with Downs Syndrome and I don't know of anyone who thinks it means anything else.

[MissVerydead]

Joey?

I am ignorant on that one.