use of the word 'moron'

I'm not point scoring. It was a genuine question. I wanted to see which organisations list it as an offensive word.

Shame on you for leaping to conclusions.

not sure if anyone has highlighted the ageist words that are used here on mn and in real life
In some instances, ageist language is active, intentional and aggressive, as with Giles Coren’s recent post-referendum rant in The Times entitled “Wrinklies have well and truly stitched us up”. Other words and phrases used to describe older people, such as ‘elderly’, ‘frail’, ‘over the hill’, ‘codger’, ‘decrepit’, are equally damaging in the way they disparage older adults.

In other guises, ageist language is more subtle. Condescending phrases like ‘old granny’, ‘spritely’, ‘sweet’ or ‘good for their age’ abound in the media and everyday conversation. Even if not intended maliciously, they reaffirm the stereotype that all older people are vulnerable; that health and vitality in older adults are anomalies, and that in general older people are a burden.
just as nasty as other 'ism words although most older people tend to laugh them off as they are not that thin-skinned and certainly feel mildly annoyed rather than physically sick or panicking.

What I find upsetting is that terms about /around disability are or have been used as insults. No doubt I'm being precious or Professionally Offended by saying this; oh well

nb am aware not expressing this clearly - heat-addled I'm afraid

Uae a different word or phrase. You utter trilby is GENIUS

Point some to me, gilly. First 4 pages of a google search came up blank.

WellErrr

No, it's on most lists of offensive words. Not just mnet.

It's ok, I think it's only offensive on mumsnet.

So now people shouldn't be able to use idiot either?

I grew up using retard, spaz, moron, halfwit, imbecile, and idiot as insults and having them used about me. Also that thing where you pushed your tongue into your bottom lip. We never used them anywhere near people who were actually mentally disabled though, so we had a notion of how offensive they are. I don't use them now, except for the odd frustrated "idiot" or "halfwit", probably shouldn't use them at all.
I also don't use "hysterical" and am trying to get myself out of the habit of using gendered insults- "bitch", for example.
The ease with which "OMG" and "FGS" are thrown around bugs me a bit, I think it's offensive but Christians are expected to just put up with it. We got sharply told off for blasphemy as children even though my parents weren't overly religious so I think my discomfort with it stems from that.

oh, xpost, well done mum . Not that hard!

I used the word 'victim' in 'blame the victim' ... .ie people who have been abused and bullied (like gillybeanz), victims of disablist behaviours IRL, and who are therefore hurt when people continue to use this term. Not as in 'oooh, someone used a rude word, i'm offended' .

I just don't get why people are defensive of continuing using this term. Can you really not express yourself some other way?

Trilby😂

No not all, but yes to the first one where 'newt will happen as it isn't disabling, racist' which says it isn't discriminatory? Or am I misunderstanding this?
I'm sorry, it's a commonly used, inoffensive word where I live and there are many more offensive words. But now I know, as I'm not a completely insensitive trilby I'll try alternatives for the future! Accommodating everyone's sensitivities might somewhat dramatically reduce my vocabulary but I'll have to wear it (the trilby) I suppose.
While we're at it, can everyone stop using the word 'moist'. For reasons I can't go into, that really does offend me.....

I don't find moron or cretin any more offensive than idiot or imbecile.

They're all useful words.

Online, definitely, I'll watch my tongue. In day to day life, if I'm totally honest, probably not, as I've said, it's not seen in the same way and heard much worse. i wouldn't hold my breath with a nation that uses 'bawhair' as a recognised unit of measurement

I had no idea such words were seen as disabilist

Now you know, will it change anything?

Insulting each other is such a way of life, I had no idea such words were seen as disabilist, they all mean stupid/thick to me, and it's not just my city, a hell of a lot of others also use such language or worse freely.

er... mumoftwo - are you either not reading gillybeanz posts or are you calling her a liar?

If I happened to see a report at school that said retarded or even moronic and it described my disabilities, defined problems and was a label to gain support then it wouldn't be/ wasn't offensive tbh, I didn't know what they meant.
I began to understand they were words which meant I was stupid, and the teachers didn't like me because of these words.
They became the terms to sling and shout when I didn't understand.
"Look at Gilly, she's such a moron" when I couldn't add 2 columns of figures (at 7), she's so dumb, such an imbecile.
I wore a hat once, dunces, so hats are offensive.

I repeat a thousand times, my story is not unique.
If people don't find the terms offensive then I suppose that's a good thing as they obviously haven't been affected.

If just one person changes their mind after this thread then that's progress.
Thanks for starting the thread OP

apostrophes - nope, actually not - logical fail.