• ngdev@lemmy.world
    link
    fedilink
    arrow-up
    8
    arrow-down
    17
    ·
    1 year ago

    The meaning of retard is to delay or impede the development or progress of; to slow up especially by preventing or hindering advance or accomplishment

    Just something to think on

    • Arthur Besse@lemmy.ml
      link
      fedilink
      arrow-up
      11
      arrow-down
      3
      ·
      edit-2
      1 year ago

      In the 21st century the that word is widely understood to be a slur and thus violates rules 1 and 2 on lemmy.ml (where this community is hosted).

      Also, you’re quoting the definition of the verb, which is typically not applied to people, while the (now deleted, on lemmy.ml at least) grandparent comment was using the word as an adjective… which is.

    • chuckleslord@lemmy.world
      link
      fedilink
      arrow-up
      11
      arrow-down
      8
      ·
      1 year ago

      Yeah, it was even a medical term and then a bunch of kids (and less gracious adults) went around using it as an insult and now it’s taboo. Welcome to living languages, they change. I said what I said, your “umm, actually” adds nothing to the conversation.

    • Pregnenolone@lemmy.world
      link
      fedilink
      arrow-up
      3
      ·
      edit-2
      1 year ago

      It’s totally appropriate to use in that context e.g. retarding a fire or the brakes retarding a car, but OPs are clearly not using it like that.