S/O Do you use the "R" word? Do you use the "I" word?

[MamaRae85]

Someone in the other post was talking about the word "idiot" being more socially acceptable than the word "retard", even though they were both used to mean "mentally handicapped" in the medical field and then later turned into "hate" speech (I think that's the phrase I'm looking for).

Do you use the "I" word but not the "R" word? Why or why not?

::sigh:: No, the word "idiot" is not a swear word, even in my house. However, it was used just as commonly as the "R" word in reference to someone's mental handicap during a time past. It's no longer used in medicine in reference to those people, just like the "R" word is being phased out of the medical community.

TurtleSquish, I hope you don't mind that I'm using this.You stated your opinion simply:

I say idiot. it's no longer an acceptable diagnosis. Retarded is still an accepted diagnosis. idiot doesn't equal retarded.

Does this fit what you feel like if you do use "idiot" but not "retard"?

[epoh]

I use both.

[3earthangels]

I use both.

[Anonymous]

Idiot is now a curse? FFS. If youre acting R or I im calling you one or both at the same time.

[JerseyAirGurl]

I avoid both... But I do use the word dummy sometimes.

[Cheribomb]

i use both... also use gay as in "this movie is so gay"  

[beerabitch69]

I use both.

[nikabear]

Neither one because I have a special needs child

[ColtsFan1912]

I try not to use any of them. I'd use idiot before the r word though.

[Retrokitty]

I will never use the use retard. Having two disabled siblings i know how much it hurts them. It's not even medically correct in Canada. I don't really use idiot either. Though I don't think it as bad because its a different context. I hate the word handicapped also so I don't use it.

[quickbooksworm]

I use both. Not around my son usually but I do at work. I work in a construction office so anyone easily offended either wont be there or wont be there for long.