• Chainweasel@lemmy.world
    link
    fedilink
    English
    arrow-up
    9
    ·
    9 months ago

    It’s called the “euphemism treadmill”. It’s why words like “stupid” and “idiot” aren’t offensive anymore, they were replaced by “retarded” which is slowly coming back because people are starting to use “autistic” in it’s place as an offensive term. Eventually that will also be replaced and “autistic” will be censored.

    • isles@lemmy.world
      link
      fedilink
      English
      arrow-up
      5
      ·
      9 months ago

      people are starting to use “autistic” in it’s place as an offensive term.

      I must have run in toxic crowds, because “autism” as a derogatory slur was in vogue circa 2005. I never used it, but I had to dismantle a lot of ableism to accept my own diagnosis.

    • ThatWeirdGuy1001@lemmy.world
      link
      fedilink
      English
      arrow-up
      5
      arrow-down
      1
      ·
      9 months ago

      As someone who grew up being called retarded because I was autistic it actually really pisses me off how people get their panties all twisted over the word retard.

      I know my experiences aren’t universal but I’ve learned the best way to deal with shit like this is acceptance. “Haha you’re retarded!” “Correct.” “W-wait what…?”