Uhf, now that response looks overly contentious. Sorry.

Actually I don't generally call individuals retarded but I will call an idea or a plan retarded.

Please explain to me how racial/ethnic slurs are a benefit to language and communication. Seriously, I can't wait.

I'm not advocating for racial or ethnic slurs. Though I will note that if people want to find a way to express their xenophobia or racism they'll find it.

However, I don't have an issue with exerting social pressure to say certain words are tabboo and not used in polite society or discourse because of their history.

I do have an issue with using that idea as a general principle and following that logic to exclude "crazy" as a perjorative. I think that's a false and damaging consistency. Too damaging to language in relation to whatever presumed damage is done to the mentally ill by that word.

Because the whole world watches Deadwood, right?

As erika notes, I only use it to other Deadwood fans.

I'd argue they have their place...it's not a proud, well-lighted place, and it smells like old beer, but I can't imagine a slur-free world. People just aren't built for this...

And here I am, considering it, but honestly, I'm not gonna stop referring to Glen Beck or myself the day before my period as crazy, and I'm more concerned with removing certain other words from my language.

Fair enough! *g*

Hee... Is it a bad time to mention that I find 'differently-abled' rather patronising? (I know you were kidding!)

Is there a term you prefer, Seska? Just curious.

It's not a binary, with options being Bold Yet Described As Some As Offensive vs. Weak Ineffectual Mealy-Mouthed Pap. Implying that there are only 2 choices in writing is, again, WEAK.

What Teppy Said.

Too damaging to language in relation to whatever presumed damage is done to the mentally ill by that word.

I'm sorry, but you, as a non-mentally-ill person, don't get to make that call.

Because the whole world watches Deadwood, right?

As erika notes, I only use it to other Deadwood fans.

You didn't say that originally, so I wasn't aware of that.

Is there a term you prefer, Seska?

Disabled.

It's easy to say.

I can link to the social model of disability, for why I prefer that to euphemisms that avoid the issue, but I'd get boring REALLY fast. If I haven't already...

the social model of disability

Seska, is that the idea that (and I know I'm VASTLY simplifying here), rather than the disabled person trying adapt to the environment -- or, in the case of some mental illnesses, "get better" -- that the environment should adapt to *their* needs?

Yeah. In the tribe, I say "gimp" and "crip" but not usually Out There and I have ripped some House fangirls pretty intensely for this. The irony did not escape me. There are times I wish he didn't do that quite so much. And I sent Corwood a pitch once that my biographers would find pretty damn vulgar...if he had co-editors I didn't know, I'd totally have 'splaining to do.

Steph: Basically, yeah. It's the concept that society disables people, rather than conditions/impairments disabling us. Which is why I prefer 'disabled' to 'person with a disability' - the passive verb puts the onus on society, rather than on me, to change. NB: Many disabled people, especially in the US, prefer 'person-first' language. I mostly just try to respect what other people want to be called. That said, 'differently-abled' emphasises diversity, which is fine to a certain point, without challenging society on its oppression.

Example. My confirmation classes are being held in a room which is up six stone steps. This is oppression (especially as my knee has been partially dislocated, and very painful, all day today as a result). It's about being disabled by society. To my mind, the 'differently-abled' idea reinforces the view that my difference can be dealt with through an acceptance of diversity alone. It's nice that my priest respects my differences. It's less nice that he won't move the sodding confirmation class.

*Seska is dealing with the confirmation class-related stress. Yes, she really is.*

In the tribe, I say "gimp" and "crip" but not usually Out There and I have ripped some House fangirls pretty intensely for this. The irony did not escape me. There are times I wish he didn't do that quite so much.

Yes - 'House' is making 'cripple' a more widespread phenomenon of language than it really needs to be.

I simply don't see why, with the richness of language (not just English), one would choose to use a term like "niggardly" or "gypped". "Miserly" and "cheated" work just fine, thanks.

First of all the sound and rhythms of the words are valuable to me as a writer. They're not the same words. Second the meanings shade differently. Finally, I don't think the exception or line that people want to make between allowances for fiction writers and other speech is a clear bright line.

Language is much more fluid than that, and I certainly don't know a non-fiction writer that doesn't avail themself of elements of fictional rhetoric in their writing.

To Teppy's question, I certainly don't see it as binary at all. In fact, I spent a long time couching my main argument as a subtle weighting and balancing of different values, implying (I think) a spectrum.

To Jilli's question, I did specifically note the importance of context and responsibility of the speaker. I am not asserting my right call somebody names or something they consider objectionable.

I am, however, asserting my right to call rhumba sleeves gay. Even to a straight man from Argentina who is wearing them.

To Seska, I also think "differently abled" is patronizing and used it purposefully as a dodgy phrase. I'm sorry if I didn't make that clear.