Whilst swearing on MN is ok, there are some words that are simply not acceptable.

[mamazon]

Please, before posting could you just do a brief speel check to ensure you have not used a word that is socially unacceptable.

Whilst we are all adults and as such we wont all faint at the use of words such as fuck/shit etc there are some words that simply are not to be used.

really. there is never any need to use some words.

I doubt very much that anyone here would even dream of including words like nigger/queer/paki etc etc in a post.
We all accept that they are offensive and wrong.

Please could we have a similar stance given to words that are offensive to those who have disabilities (or just those who are not ignorant morons) please.

I am specifically thinking of words such as "retard" "spaz" "mong"

all of which i am noticing with increased frequency on the boards of late.
Whilst MN is getting much better at deleting such offensive posts, if we could just make it clear that such vile use of language is wrong then hopefully we can prevent the need.

I agree.

Oh yes, I thought you were going to say the C word is too much (doesn't bother me) but it wouldn't even enter my head that words like those are EVER acceptable.

I haven't noticed these words being used here, I must admit, but I am currently reading a Kellerman novel where the victim is constantly referred to as 'retarded'. It does make me flinch.

Agree completely, however you also need to realise that some words are used more widely/ have a slightly different interpretation, or are not as universally regarded as 'wrong' in other countries (which is why they sometimes get sued without people realising quite how offensive others find them).

Am thinking of the use of the word 'retard' in the US for example...

Not condoning it btw - just explaining...

amen.

But actually I think the c word is unacceptable as well.

well said mamazon

the word retard(ed) means backwards.
I have read academic texts that reffer to retarded thinking in terms of not recognising current scientific evidence etc. in those terms of course i can see that that is not offensive and is certainly not meant in a derogatroy way.

but to reffer to someone as any of those ords listed is just not on.

and its not just MN either. I have definitly noticed that these words seem to be backin fashion. if we can all make a concerted effort to make our own feelings on the use of these words clear then hopefully it will drip feed into society.

there are a great many of is on thi site and a whole heap more that just lurk (including all you lazy journo's) so if we make a nice long thread that evertyone sees, you never know. people may just get the hint

Stewie - i really dont care if it is commonly used. it is offensive.

on the estate i grew up on it was perfectly acceptable to call someone "homo" and various other homophobic terms. Doesn't make it ok.

Yes, I gathered that it was being used in a medical type way in the novel, but it just jarred a bit. Interesting how a culture can take a word and turn it in to something offensive through context.

Lol at 'speel check' in your OP but agree with you OP

yeah i did see that

blardy fat over sized fingers

am specifically thinking of words such as "retard" "spaz" "mong"

have not seen these on the boards?

because thankfully they get reported and deleted.

for instance, i have just done a very brief wearch on the word mong, and all i have ios threads saying what a dreadful offensive word, but not actually been used

Anyway, i agree they are vile and offensive.

oh crossposted there! yes, you are right, i would have expected them to be deleted.

"i really dont care if it is commonly used. it is offensive."

It's not as simple as that. Who decides if it is 'offensive'? The person who takes offence.

Language is a fluid thing and always has to be understood in context. Retard is widely used in the US without being regarded as being offensive as we might feel it is in the UK.

However mostly I would agree with you Mamazon - I hate the increasing use of swearing and lazy and uneducated speech here on MN these days. I don't want to see Fck or Cnt everywhere when my children are lurking over my shoulder.

Thanks Mamazon for starting this thread.

I really agree with your post but were you being tongue in cheek when you typed:
"Please could we have a similar stance given to words that are offensive to those who have disabilities (or just those who are not ignorant morons) please."?
Because the definition of morons is not nice either.

agree

Any words associated with vulnerable groups, prejudice or hate crime have no place on MN. I do like swearing though, love Anyfucker's name and the word twunt.

They are not always deleted though - there was a therad last week that used the R word and I think its still there - I commented on the post at the time.

What is the definition of moron?

Wow, just googled moron.....what a hideous word. I will not be using it in future.....