That's so... [fill in the blank]

[sarahmichigan]

I'm trying to excise the word "retarded" from my vocabulary as an all-purpose insult or synonym for "stupid." I've seen some discussions online about why it's offensive to some people-- similar to the reason a lot of people aren't really crazy about the use of the term "that's so gay" to mean "that's so stupid and/or corny."

But old habits die hard- I just busted out with it a few days ago, totally out of the blue, without thought. It's not even a term I use that often, but it was just odd that I used it pretty much within a few weeks of deciding I was going to stop using it that way.

Incidentally, it's OK if you think I'm a dork or being overly-political-correct about this- it's a personal decision I'm making to try to be more sensitive and thoughtful in the way I speak.

Comments

[beshter.livejournal.com]

I don't think you're being a dork! If it bothers you, it bothers you, and I think it's admirable you are making a change.

I try to be conscious of the 'that's so gay' comments, given that I have many gay friends. I worked against Prop 8 in CA, and it sort of became a paradox where I was for gay marriage, but using that slang. Still, I catch it once in a blue moon, but I've stopped for the most part.

Now if only I could stop with the swearing...LOL