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]

Are we sure it wasn't tart or turd? Is the show on some form of catch up website so you can check?

Yes Joey Deacon had CP and was featured on Blue Peter - they raised money to build him a specially adapted home. A wonderful gesture which backfired horribly. Joey was a regular insult at my primary school unfortunately.

I always respect someone who admits they were wrong and changes their behaviour, TheGoogleMum. We all live and learn if we're lucky, me included. I'm a bit flummoxed though by your 'different definition' of s though, because to me it is just like the r word: disablist, offensive and unacceptable.

I've never heard of Joey used in that way, AamdC. I do think that special is definitely being used now in a disablist way, yes.

MNHQ would probably delete that post if you report it, Shitlandpony.

Ffs thegooglemum, please stop digging.
Spastic is a type of cp.
Spaz is used as a disablist insult. It is vile.

I think unless .you were a child in the early 80,s you probably woulsnt have BlackBelt but if you Google Joey Deacon it explains his bacgroumd and how it all.backfired

What a sad and unintended outcome. I wonder if Joey has gone out of use after a brief period in after the programme? My DCs have never heard it.

I think you’d have to be 40+ to recognise it. I’m nearly 50. Joey died in the early 80s. So definitely of its time.

Unfortunately the r word and the last bit of it alone or as an add on is apparently in quite common use at their (very good, generally) school. That makes me sad. So much more progress is needed.

And not forgetting just how many delicious and satisfying insults and swearwords there are to choose from, without having to resort to this sort of thing.