to find the phrase "a bit simple" offensive

[Glitterknickaz]

when referring to someone with learning difficulties?

or is it me? I'm quite prepared to be told it is me btw...

Excuse my ignorance but does the objection to using this kind of epithet come from a wish to insist we see everyone as equal in terms of intellectual ability, or is it simply a matter of using the 'wrong' term?

This thread got me thinking.

Words like 'imbercile' 'retard' and so on were once medical terms. Then other words were introducedand the original words, over time became a term of abuse.

When I used to work with adults who had learning disabilities I remember thinking in 50 years time using the term 'learning disabilities' will be offensive because there will be new terminology in place.

However if you are not in regular contact with people with learning disabilities or the service and jargon how would you know what you are saying is offensive if that is what you have always known? It's not like there is an announcement on the BBC or anything is there?

BeerTricksPotter - fair enough...so, 'simple' is quite similar to 'thick', 'clever', 'average', 'intelligent', 'bright', 'dumb' etc etc...

I tend to use the system of "would I like that word to describe me or my kids" and if I wouldn't I don't use it.

I don't always get it right, but it's a personal guideline.

BeerTricksPotter - my point was that we can and do assign single words to people all the time...not quite sure why we shouldn't be using 'simple' as one of them.

BeerTricksPotter - ran out of steam, did you? Why turn on your opponent as opposed to their argument?

I might as well accuse you of smelling bad. How old are you?

Lord help us.

I'm attacking no-one - I simply resent words being put out of use.

BTP - they are all descriptive words. If you are arguing that only 'positive' descriptive words are now permitted, then please say so.

Would you find it acceptable for someone to ascribe negative descriptors to you or your child?

BTP - so, what word or phrase would you prefer?

"Below-average intelligence"?

"Thick"?

"Stoopid"?

"Sub-normal"?

"Low IQ"?

"Dumb"?

"Special Needs"?

I'm curious as to why you are so keen to chivvy us into using language with which you agree.

BTP - the thread began with an objection to someone with learning difficulties being labelled as 'simple'.

I object to my being labelled this simply for the fact that I do not have such difficulties (well, not to the extent that a doctor or teacher has seen fit to describe me as such).

D'accord!

But you would object to the term.
Equally that would stand the other way.... 'simple' does not belong to any diagnosis at all, so why not object then on the grounds it does not apply?

Personally, I object because of the negative connotations associated with it.

I am really surprised, I always thought simple was an inoffensive, non specific way to describe a learing difficulty when it had no known label.

as in, ''at mainstream school, but a little simple''.

Obviously I donlt go round all the time passing remarks on other people or their kids, so it's not a phrase I use often, but I genuinely had not realised it would cause offence, if I had.

I think a number of phrases have changed as the years have gone by. How often do you hear of someone being referred to as 'handicapped' for instance? Particularly if you KNOW someone or are related to someone with a disability?

Different things will offend different people and maybe 'simple' is just one of them.