I guess it wouldn't be possible to reassign RETARD and FAGGOT...

[dhinojosa]

I like those words and I use them a lot. But I don't use them for what they were originally intended, nor would I. When I think of retard I don't think of anybody suffering from Downs syndrome or anything like that. When I think of faggot, I don't think of anyone who is gay.

To me retard is a dumbass. "That retard mixed ammonia and clorox together". I'll call myself retard on occasion like when I get pulled over by a cop for speeding: "Nice going retard". The thought of linking it to someone with a mental disability no longer occurs with me.

Faggot? Well, maybe its just me, but anyone who is flaky or indecisive is a faggot. "That faggot said he'd be here at 2:00PM", or "Crazy faggot can't decide whether to go or stay" Faggot is another one of those words that to me don't correlate to the original meaning.

But I guess there is much of a taboo with those words for me to use them without stigma.

:)

[Lex]

1. My 13 year old niece used to use those words a lot

but now that she's a few years older, she's stopped. She understands how hurtful and bigoted those words can be.

I'm proud of her.

[dhinojosa]

3. Good for her!!! :) Question though.....

Does she use moron? That was another hurtful and bigotted word from a long time ago, but it is not considered that today. I think retard and faggot are going that route. Soon those words' original intent of malice will be forgotten. :)

[Lex]

4. No, I don't think so . . .

but she uses the word 'loser' a lot still.

[the_spectator]

2. Kick for popcorn!

:popcorn:

[Kathleen04]

5. I've pretty much had

to train myself to stop using those words. I never meant them for their literal meaning, but they have a derogatory connotation. Since then, I've had friends whose siblngs are mentally impaired and I wouldn't want to be hurtful towards them by using the word "retarded" in a deragatory manner.

I've also had friends who are homosexual and now wouldn't flippantly say "that is so gay" in that manner..

It's best to stop using the words, because the habit of them WILL potentially get you into trouble. You can't drop those kind of words in the workplace--around coworkers/employers...its best just to drop them from your vocab.

[dhinojosa]

6. "That is so gay" is one that I really don't understand

That's used a lot with the young-ins.

[Kathleen04]

7. Yep, that

used to be something I'd say quite frequently. Then I realized that it could be offensive and just made me sound like an ass anyways.

[Floogeldy]

8. I'm going to start using "fag" to refer to a cigarette.

I liked that, back in the 60's.

B-)

[deadparrot]

9. While I know many or most people...

don't truly know the whole meaning behind those words when they blurt them out like you've stated, I still avoid using them, since it's a simple convenience that saves a lot of people a lot of pain and insult. I never really used "faggot," but I did use "retard" and "gay" a little when I was younger.

[Bouncy Ball]

10. I've never used the F-word, but

I always find myself wanting to call bush a "fucktard" but I know people get offended by the use of the root of the word retard.

[PartyPooper]

11. "queer" and "faggot" are in vogue today.

But, as a gay man born in the late 1940's...I still find these words repugnant and full of hate and bad memories from my growing up. I prefer "gay". And, I'm sure Judy would agree!

Just my 2¢.