Is this an OK insult?

[Girlfrommars11]

So I'm not part of the easily offended brigade.

I'm not actually offended, I'm more just wondering.

Listening to lbc last night and the presenter said, "your going to call me a tard for this" caller then said "yes you are a tard. "

Now I assume tard is short for retard, correct me if I'm wrong.

Is it OK to be using retard as an insult on national radio?

My son has a syndrome that is classified as mental retardation, which doesn't really sit well with me as I feel that retard is a bit of a playground insult like spastic, and shouldn't really be used as a medical term. I prefer intellectually disabled. Now I hear presenters casually using tard as an insult and I feel a bit like, that shouldn't really be an OK word to use in main stream media. Would he have said spastic?

What do others think. Is tard and retard OK to use as a casual insult on mainstream TV and radio?

I wouldn't have actually cared if it was used by a comedian or someone in real life. But this was a news show on the radio.

• [Message from MNHQ: We've edited the title to remove the offensive term]

I've never heard anyone say "tard" as short for retard but the word retard is incredibly common as an insult at my DSs school. It's been really upsetting for DS2 who has learning difficulties and so takes it very personally when this word is thrown at him.

Spaz is also incredibly offensive!

I would take it as a abbreviation of retard too.

I'm uncomfortable with the U.K. attitude of virtue signalling by some people when it doesn't translate into positive action.

I don't think we should ban specific words but we should try to disconnect them from their unpleasant origins.
As others have said, 'retard' is commonly used in the States.
People also use words like retard and spastic in a jokey way here in Ireland.
When I pointed it out once to a friend, they were genuinely surprised that I was bothered by the use of such terms.
I was very shocked the first few times but the words seem to be fairly common parlance in rural Ireland so I'm almost getting used to it.

However, I suspect that they have a much higher percentage of disabled children/adults here, possibly in part due to not allowing abortion and also families traditionally being much larger numbers so more chances of having a child with disabilities. You regularly see (obviously) disabled people working in the local shops which is still a rarity in the U.K., so I'd probably argue that disability in general, is more readily accepted and not viewed in such a negative way over here. I'm not talking about stacking shelves in Tesco but seriously, how many fashion stores in the U.K. would employ a person with Down's syndrome on their shop floor? Would UK customers be as accepting?

Absolutely not ok and I always think less of someone if I hear them use it as an insult. Ditto with “spaz” or any of the other insults along a similar vein. Completely unacceptable.

People also use words like retard and spastic in a jokey way here in Ireland.

I wonder if people with those disabilities would find it funny. I doubt it. If you used offensive language about my disability I'm pretty sure I wouldn't get the joke.

KoolKat I’m not sure I understand your point. It’s not virtue signalling to find that sort of language offensive, and it’s completely separate from the issue of whether people with disabilities should be able to find meaningful employment (though obviously they should).

Absolutely not okay, and I would complain.

I will say though, that many moons ago, as a teenager using the word 'fuckt**d', I assumed it was, and used it as, a shortening of the term 'fucking bastard',

Definitely not OK

When I was in primary school (1960s), "spastic" was used as an everyday insult
Horrible

I didn't hear "retard" or variations anywhere until about 2005 on US sites, usually as insults from the nasty section of Republicans with also "libtards" etc
Seems to have spread since to the UK

100pc not okay and most definitely a shortening of retard.

And just because they do it in America doesn't make it ok! In fact I'd suggest it's another reason NOT to.

When I was in primary school (1960s), "spastic" was used as an everyday insult

Both were common school yard insults for my generation in the 90s and 00s.

But I wouldn't expect to here a news show presenter use either word.

Definitely not ok at all

It was Iain Dale and I believe it was 'tart' in reference to him drinking Pernod and blackcurrant.

Which opens a whole other debate, but not disablist.

Why are these words allowed in this thread? there was a yhread a few weeks ago about Rosemary Kennedy who had a medical diagnosis of the offensive word (yes i realisr it wasent offensive at the tiime) anyway posts using the word were all deleted despite using it in the context of Rosemarys diagnosis so why are the words allowed on thus thread ?

I haven't heard tard used before as an insult. If I did I'd initially assume a shortening for bastard and not understand if it didn't fit the context.

It has, thankfully, been many years since I heard the word retard used.

100% not ok.

I stand corrected if he said tart. Sounded like the other.

Why are these words allowed in this thread

How can somthing be discussed if you can't say it? Also retarded is still used in medical terminology so I can't see why we wouldn't be able to discuss the use of the word.

Im not suggesting they shouldnt op.just pointing out that MNHQ deleted other posts on another threafvusing the word as acvording to them some words are to offensive to use in whatever context but in this thread the same word is allowed , inconsistant dont yoy think?

Thread using the same word*

ffs "spaz" is not jokey . its horrid.
there are always people excusing disablism.

why are these words allowed in this thread

FFS. This is not 1984. The words are offensive not illegal and they are not being used against anyone, simply as the topic of discussion which is a useful education tool for those who read the thread and didn't realise quite how offensive the words are.

If MN delete the thread I shall be very cross.

People also use words like retard and spastic in a jokey way here in Ireland.

Only assholes in any country would use those words in a jokey way. I’m Irish and I’d think you were a nasty disablist fucker for using those words.

AamdC i think you have a point. maybe this will get deleted. I really sometimes wonder at threads like this. are they really posted in innocence, or to wind people up?

I have heard the word 'tard' used by teens and assumed it a shortening of regard. However on quite a FEW occasions the context has meant it sounded like an abbreviation of bastards. E.g. jeez, look at that beard, you magnificent hard
Who know, I can't keep up with teen lingo even though I spend my working days with them!

Auto correct made an assumption!
'You magnificent tard!'

Did you actually read my post user before taking it out of context maybe go back and read it i said inna previous thread MNHQ deleted posts using the same word as according tonthem it was to offensive regardles of context however on this thread the word is allowed to stand just pointing out the inconsistencies .