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It literally is just a substitute for idiot. There are tons of words you can use. Here's a list of 123: https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/idiot
I am aware that it has synonyms, but it's not just a substitute for idiot. It meant a specific thing
It means someone has a developmental disability. But that is not how people used it. They used it to call someone an idiot, 100%. If someone did something dumb, they would retort "retard". How is that not exactly how it was/is used? Call them a bafoon, hammerhead, numskull, nincompoop, a schnook, make up a word for all I care. But to use a word that describes someone with a developmental disability should not be used as an insult. Don't complain about there not being a substitute when there's hundreds of options. You just seem to want to use it.
A person you insulted in that was being an idiot, but you used a different, harsher word for specific effect.
That's what isn't replaced. An S-tier idiot, described in one word.
Is this a localised to the US thing? Here in Aus I've never heard removed being used as either an insult or linked to someone with a developmental disability. What context is it used in for a developmental disability?
Did you mean to say "removed"? We're talking about the word "retard"
Interesting. Lemmy.ml has a filter that replaces slurs with removed, so I guess that's what @Event_Horizon@lemmy.ml saw
This illustrates really well why word filters are a terrible idea; they have no regard for the conversational context.
It also illustrates what a bunch of pussies they are lol, can't handle a few mean words
Oooooooooooh shit that makes sense now hahahahahaha.
I didn't even know there was a word filter!
I'm sitting here all confused thinking "Removed" was the actual word not what is being displayed here
I'm Australian, it used to be very common. You might be too young?
Haha nah
There's a word filter so I was only seeing "Removed" in place of the actual word. Confused the shit out of me. Now it all makes sense
It's probably specific to my social circles, but in the late '00s some of my family and acquaintances started using certain vegetable and food names as synonyms for stupid person. E.g. "you carrot", "you cake". I guess this was a less openly offensive way of disparaging someone's intelligence.
I like this a lot. We should spread this around.