How do you feel about the word ret*d?

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It doesn't really bother me. But then I think the last one to refer to me as "ret*d" as my mother several years ago. Not as an insult, but as an actual medical term. When I was a kid, it still was used as a medical term. I also lived in a very rural community, (if you could even call it that) that wasn't very up to date with politically correct terminology and if they were, they didn't like to use it.

I don't really care. I have been known to refer to myself as "socially ret*d." All it means is "delayed." "Late." "Slow."

Whether it's an insult or not is in the hands of the user.

And if someone wants to hurt me, I'd much rather they make that fact obvious.

Most of the people who have held condescending views and ill will toward me have been very careful to couch it in politically correct, person-first language.

The pretty packaging doesn't help. It just makes it harder to know that there's a bomb in the box.

I. HATE. It.

I think it is very rude.

It is also incorrect - it is trying to force a verb to be a noun.

I hate the word! I automatically get angry when I hear it, not just when it's directed at me.

I don't like it because like many people, in my youth it was created to be in insult. It is, in fact a medical term. I've been trying to remind my self and ... kind of re-tech myself that when i state it or when some else states it, i want it to only be for the medical term, not to be cruel.

I feel it is ignorant to be used as an insult because those who actually struggle with some or entire retardation, shouldn't feel ashamed.. it is difficult for any delay in functioning.

so, basically, i have conflicted feelings.

I catch myself using it far too often. I specifically try to avoid using it on here though.

If I hear THAT WORD, my hands immediately evolve towards becoming fists...

I personally don't use it, but do not care when others use it.

I've been called it a great deal of my life and it does hurt though, I try not let it gain credence.

I wouldn't really use it myself as it can be a rather lazy term to use but sometimes it can feel good to say it because it's a kind of reverse-reappropriation. Us aspies are not ret*d and thus there is no reason to feel as if we have a personal ownership of the word.

The same way I feel about the word "NAIVE".