I looked it up on Wikipedia and, yeah, there's a lot about how it's much more offensive over there than here.

Interesting. From the Wikipedia article on the use of the word 'spastic' or 'spaz' in the UK:

The current understanding of the word is well-illustrated by a BBC survey in 2003, which found that "spastic" was the second most offensive term in the UK relating to disability (retard was deemed most offensive). In 2007, Lynne Murphy, a linguist at the University of Sussex, described the term as being "one of the most taboo insults to a British ear".

Conversely, it seems that it's been in use much longer in the US, and therefore is much more divorced from its origins there.

Etymology. Cool.

I never use the word "cocksucker." To me, it carries that "being a gay man is bad because it's like being a woman" baggage....

Not to mention, people who do that (regardless of gender, and regardless of the gender of who they're doing it to) are making the world a little happier place.

Well, this is a personal thing. Comes from having a family member with pretty serious mental illness and having lots of those little moments where you go, "Oh shit I just called someone crazy in front of him/her."

Ah, yeah, that could be awkward.

Etymology. Cool.

I know! It's crazy!

...Dammit.

Not sure what I would use instead of "crazy." "Illogical" is a bit too Spock.

That is a problem. I mean, I say things are crazy or insane or nuts all the time. That is just a...thing that things are, sometimes. How else would you describe them?

How else would you describe them?

Maladaptive? Counterproductive?

How else would you describe them?

I wonder that, too. "Divorced from reality"?

Outlandish, bizarre, etc.

I say things are crazy or insane or nuts all the time.

This is also difficult with the whole 'reclaiming terms' trend. I say 'cripple' or 'crip' with my disabled friends. I wouldn't want someone calling me that as an insult, of course, but it's different with your mates who are also disabled. Not sure how that would work with 'crazy', given how widespread its use is.

In reality, I think 'crazy' is probably one of those that's very removed from its original meaning (though people will have different views on that). I mostly use it about the UK government's plans to reform the welfare system. ('Mad' is what I would probably say among people I was doing the term-reclaiming thing with. As in, the Mad Pride movement.)

How else would you describe them?

Paging erinacious!

I say 'cripple' or 'crip' with my disabled friends. I wouldn't want someone calling me that as an insult, of course, but it's different with your mates who are also disabled.

Yeah, I actually prefer the term "dyke" to "lesbian" (it's a phonetic thing) but used among friends.

Completely random retail interruption: Do you ever, ever wear dresses, Glam or Jess? Because Suela just linked in LJ to a great dressmaker who also makes genuinely gorgeous maternity dresses. With pockets, even.

You are now free to return to the conversation of actual substance and importance already in progress.

Those are adorable dresses! I'm not much of a dress wearer myself, and have been keeping my purchases pretty cheap for maternity wear as well, so probably not for me. Still - so cute!