use of the word 'moron'

Apostrophe

There are thousands of us who can testify it happened, it may not be a big deal to you and others who didn't experience a childhood made miserable by such bullying from those supposed to teach us.
Yes, it was widespread, there weren't technical terms for people with learning disabilities. No dyslexia, ADHD, dyspraxia, slow processing, or any other explanations we have today.
We had moron, imbecille, cretin and a whole heap of words used to bully and humiliate.
If you had learning disabilities during the 60's and 70's and maybe other decades, this was your life.
So pardon me if I stand up and say that such words are deemed unacceptable for this reason.

I've also found that spazz has taken on a new meaning now probably due to American tv. A lot of people say it when someone does something clumsy.

I find any poking fun at people with learning disabilities offensive. This term was used to do exactly that really suprised at how many find that acceptable.

I don't believe that was widespread if it happened at all. Adults use it to insult other adults as in saying they are stupid.

These too may be helpful.

blog.oxforddictionaries.com/2015/06/9-words-with-offensive-origins/

A person of mild mental retardation having a mental age of from 7 to 12 years and generally having communication and social skills enabling some degree of academic or vocational education. The term belongs to a classification system no longer in use and is now considered offensive. mo. ron'ic (mə-rŏn'ĭk, mô-) adj.
Moron | Define Moron at Dictionary.com
www.dictionary.com/browse/moron

I do think it depends where you are from. It is a common term in my neck of the woods and definitely not a disabilist term. As I said, also used on a tv program shown daily around 5pm, so surely censors have deamed it ok (correct me if I'm wrong here)

Whether any of us find it inoffensive is besides the point. Actually, I don't care too much if someone finds it 'offensive'. I do care if someone explains why its hurtful and people go 'meh, sticks and stones' and carry on using it.

I don't find it offensive.

This may help some of you

www.anti-bullyingalliance.org.uk/media/20386/Ato-Z-of-Offensive-language-FINAL.pdf

i find it offensive, but mn hq decided it wasn't

For me and others I have spoken to the offence is it being used to taunt and describe anybody with a learning disability or the academically challenged which I find much better a term, whilst waiting for a diagnosis.

If it wasn't used on a daily basis to beat me like a stick, throughout my childhood along with all the others, then I wouldn't be offended.
That was my point in referring to racist words.
If they were used as a label the same as dyslexia, dyspraxia, ADHD etc then no offence would be taken.
It's the thought process of those using the term to bully and humiliate that makes a word unacceptable.

Well yes, Queenbean. But if I call someone an arsehole, a fool or a fucknugget - I am insulting them but not using words that are hurtful to a particular group of people.

If I choose to use a word like r*d or a m*g, then I am saying, the worst thing I can think to call you is a person with learning disabilities......because obviously that is the worst thing I can think of.

Isn't the point of using these words to offend anyway?! So if it works then.... Job done.

Of course ideally it wouldn't require any intervention from MN. Just people behaving like polite grownups, who can recognise that the important thing about 'freedom of speech' is the right to be able to articulate ideas and participate in discussions,. Not carte blanche to use a particular word after someone has explained why it may be problematic, if there are other words which can be used to express the same thought without causing hurt.

I agree with Errol; it's unlikely to happen, but a message from HQ flagging up why certain words are unacceptable might result in a gradual reduction of their use. Of course, there'll always be those who take pride in trampling over other people's sensitivities , even when evidence has been provided that the words are not acceptable.
For a long time people of a certain generation insisted there could be no possible offense taken to the n-word, likewise various other words referring to disabilities. Understanding the full meaning and origins of the language we use shows advancement in our society.

I don't find it offensive, makes me think of the song 'Gordon is a moron'; that might not be the title but I'm sure some will recognise it.

(I'm also of the opinion that twat or twattish is okay but I would never use cunt)

Sticks And stones.......

Bull. Shit.

If someone uses a hate filled term like some of those we agree are unacceptable (the r word, the n word) you don't think they hurt?

If someone shout r**d at your child, it may possibly hurt.

It is interesting that some words become more unacceptable than others, yet have the same roots. And it does change, with words developing as insults.

Who has defined it as offensive?

All dictionary definitions point to it meaning a stupid person. None say it's offensive.

You're right, Purple, but my thinking is that they aren't words banned from MN - they are universally unacceptable words. You have a good point though.

NB: universal being generalised. There are going to be some back-of-the-Internet type places where offensive words are used regularly but in general, I think using disabling language would get you deleted/banned in most places.

There's also the issue that MN struggle to moderate the site at times anyway, and having a list of banned words would make that much worse.

I'm not sure I agree-there effectively are banned words. I've never seen "retard" left to stand (obviously apart from in the non insulting sense). Without making a list there are definitely others that Mnhq seem to consider to be disablist and will delete.