Do you care if someone uses the words "retarded" and "gay" out of context?

Hi Sheepie, Ifonly people think before the say these words they will understand but the meaning g*y is being happy but these people are ignorant and the best thing to do is just ignore them. Tamara

I do not agree with such talk these days. One of my least favorites is the joke going around about the "short school bus" I do not find it funny even a little bit. I think it is very rude and disrespectful. I have been raised to treat people the way I wish to be treated. I don't think people these days have hearts.

Now a days teens come up with different words to mean something else. I can understand what you're saying, if these kids happen to say "you're retaded" and a person with this birth defect is close by, the parents could hear them make he remark and think they are talking about his or her child. I've heard my daughter saying retarded and I've told her not to say that. It's not nice and you never know who is going to be around you. I've never heard her say gay.

I'm not keen on these words being used out of context - but I tend to hear it all the time now. Not so much 'retarded' - that seems a bit out of vogue at the moment, thank goodness - but 'mental' is often used, and 'gay'. That doesn't worry me as much, because I don't look on 'gay' as being an insult, whereas 'retarded' sounds pretty awful, and calling someone a retard is just wrong.

Yes, using words out of its context is really disturbing. You're right about the use of the word retarded, most people use it wrongly. If I may add to this "retarded" means "delayed" or "late" (thus the terms, flame retardant etc.) being retarded simply means you are delayed, maybe in mental or physical growth. For me the people who use it wrongly to belittle other people seems more to be "retarded" because what they do is not what a good normal person would do. About being gay, there are a lot of explanations why that word was used to describe homosexuals. The most popular being that most homosexuals are very gay (happy)bubbly and positive that's why the term gay was used to describe them. For me it is okay to use the term gay to describe either being happy or being a homosexual.

I dont care for such words. It is quite common in the society. If you have doubts watch any comedy movie. Most of the jokes are maing fun of mentally retarded, fat or ugly people. We all laugh at those jokes when said in movies. How can we tell the teenagers it is wrong off the screen if the older people themselves seem to enjoy all those jokes in movies and TV shows.

Yeah, even gay people call things gay, so I don't have a problem with it. But it gets me riled up to hear someone use the word 'retarded' as an insult or even just in joking. I worry sometimes someone will use the word out of context and maybe someone around will hear them who has a mentally challenged person in their family. And I wouldn't want them to be caused hurt by thoughtless words.

You know what, frankly it doesn't bother me one bit. I'm so damn tired of all this PC bull crap. I mean seriously are we so stuck on offending everyone that we can no longer even speak or be ourselves? I use the term "gay" quite frequently, I also use the term retarded, or even special. I'm sorry but I'm not about to start blowing rainbows and sunshine up someone's butt just because they feel that I need to be more PC. It's just not gonna happen.

Does anyone remember 20 years ago how pop-culture and most people use to be not so politically correct as today and use such words as "gay" and "retarded"? These words were used without a a bat of a lash and was not as offending as they are today. How things have changed. My dad often share's similar story's about how certain movies and popular cultural themes back in his day would be considered racist by today's standards. Just think, 20 years from now certain terms and expressions we use now will not be politically correct. It's just a matter of perception of what one finds offending or not.Btw, I have known many gay people in my life and the gay people I knew seem to never get mad when somebody used the term "gay".. I even had a best friend that was gay and he use to call some of his gay friends the other gay word that begins with a "F", but he said it with a such endearing sense of humor and meant no harm with it when he said it. I think it all comes down to the individual and what they consider offending or not. I personally do not use such words .

I have never liked the word retarded and I prefer people not to use it as I believe it is derogatory to people who are classified this way. It is a word that should not be used to refer to people but has been and there the problem lies. It is not a good word to use this way. The same is true of the word gay, it means happy but it has been used to refer to homosexuals. I think that word is fine.

Retarded need not mean and refer to the physical incapability of some people, it usually means something bad. Such comments cannot be taken to heart and we should just let go of such things without taking them to heart. bourne

I agree with you on that about the word retarded it is not a good word I myself hate that when they say that about somebody it buds me. Plus the word gay which a beautiful word and ruin it by using it that way.... cd

Teens use the word "gay" to often mean "stupid" or "lame". My kids are not allowed to say it. Actually I don't allow the word "stupid" if they are talking about people. To use the word "retarded" is just inexcusable! The mentally handicapped are not to be mocked!

I dont mind if someone use the word gay in a context. But the word retarded is another thing. I dont think a person should speak that word even if it is an expression. Somebody will be offended about it and it is not fun to say retarded to somebody. Nobody want to be called retarded anyways. Some people are born retarded and they didnt choose to be that way so i think it is harshed to say that word to someone who might happen to have a family members who live in that condition.I think every person should be careful with words that we say to other people. If we knew that the word is not appropriate to use then i think it is just right that we refrain ourselves from saying it.