Thank you for your post. January 18, 2017 at 12:55 PM. Im saying, Why dont you read a book?, Posted by: January 06, 2020 at 10:26 PM. It's definitely not an "award" that you'll ever want, as by getting one, you are automatically subject to such terrible treatment and criticism, derision, hate, etc of other people. We often hear this sentiment expressed when Trumps supporters defend the presidential candidate by making uninformed comments about Blacks, Muslims, Jews, women, or about widespread voter fraud, international conspiracy theories, and immigration. One of the first insult words kids learn (and then use ad nauseam) is dumb. I have tried for more than forty years. Silly is a much softer way of acknowledging something or someone thats a bit foolish. If you cant avoid the person altogether, try to keep it down to situations where there are other people around. Libel laws apply to both small- and large-scale publications. No second chances. Is the word 'dumb' offensive? - English Language & Usage Stack Exchange I believe this person acts out of a certain ignorance or poor memory, but it bothers me to be in an environment where I am said or thought to be stupid and treated accordingly. View an alternate. I was only speculating and I feel that is all I have to make it through the abuse. /*Difference Between "Dumb" And "Stupid" (11 Helpful Examples) - Grammarhow Although we might be able use sociological theories such as McDonaldization to explain the stupidity of an ATM machine eating your debit card, for the purposes of this post I am interested in analyzing the strategies of social interaction that may be at play when we describe others as stupid. Directly naming someone isnt required for identification, however. If the only thing you know about sports is who wins and who loses, you are missing the highest stakes action of all. AP Calculus is anything but dumb. This article is NOT "Everyday Sociology" and is defending hateful views and words used against anyone you disagree with. Then, in the early 90s,other disability communities, like the National Federation of the Blind and the d/Deaf community, mobilized for an identity-first rule so disability could be recognized as an identity and not just a medical category. I feel the signal of someone being different screams warning to avoid someone. Paul Krugman likes to call people stupid liars. STUPID PERSON Synonyms: 119 Synonyms & Antonyms for STUPID PERSON ", "If you're naming them Stupid, or labeling them as stupid, as in he or she is 'a stupid person,' it's never okay, because what we are saying is that they will always be that way, that they can never learn,. A physical disability can either affect the whole body or a part of the body. I reached out to several disability rights advocates for their insights. Slander and libel laws are addressed on a state-by-state basis. They also gently provoke other people in a bid to obtain extra information. I wonder how they'd feel reading everyone's apathetic comments towards them and how it makes them feel? Although we may feel better or even superior when we lash out like this, it may not be the only reason we do it. This was their advice. Maybe the way they killed themselves could be funny, but still, it's definitely a tragedy and families and friends lost someone close to them, surely that's saddening? You recall an event, agreement, or argument and the abuser denies that it happened at all. People use ableist words and phrases everyday without realizing the harm they do. Maybe out of hatred and or jealousy I am not sure which or maybe both. Depending on your circle or friend group, you could even be enabling others to do the same. Ableism is discrimination against people with disabilities. These suggestions are meant to convey the same meanings as the ableist words, but you may find that some options work better in certain settings than others. I feel hatred, betrayal, and depression. People notice me and have publically humiliate me and I also worry about it too. . 1 Most people assume that if they were being verbally abused they would know about it. [offensive] .a young deaf and dumb man. Name calling is hurtful, inappropriate and useless. Posted by: Language isnt meant to alienate us; its meant to help us understand one another. Public officials and people in positions of power are required by law to prove actual malice and that the accused acted in reckless disregard of the truth in defamation cases, which is quite hard to do. Denying that fact makes you stupid. Its all to make themselves feel superior. You all are viruses that must be purged from the system, to restore normalcy. Posted by: Now, the original creator of all this claims that she is documenting all these tragedies for a practical reason, something about these stories serving as "cautionary tales" so that we all learn from all these people's faulty actions. There is one caveat, though, there does exist one real world with a real set of facts. To a substantial number of other people, it occupies some point on a continuum of inappropriateness ranging from mildly thoughtless to deeply offensive. Those of us in fields of science, health, support, and mentoring/teaching have a responsibility to keep the focus on the actual topic, and keep personal political opinion where it belongs (under a rock). Sullivan sued for libel, but the Supreme Court ruled that the newspaper did not intend actual malice and was protected under the First Amendment. February 16, 2021 at 09:41 AM. If you think about it, one of the underlying sentiments we are suggesting when we call someone stupid is: Why cant you just act like the rest of us? We are shocked that others could act so unintelligently because these actions fall outside the expectations of normative behavior. AP Calculus is anything but dumb. ", "So stupid is just a meaningless insult? This is a predictable knee-jerk reaction from the likes of a person whose motives have been exposed. Slander dates back to and stems from the Middle English word sclaundren ("to cause to lapse morally, bring to disgrace, discredit, defame"). 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Honest Adoption Language vs. The history behind our identities and how we name them is complex. And others like that, so I'm quite wrong and that there are lot's of people who share similar values like me, so that feels good, like I'm not alone. Language has long been used to dehumanize or marginalize people with disabilities. In other ways, she has limitations on what she can learn to do. How that would feel? While all these words mean "lacking in power to absorb ideas or impressions," dumb applies to an exasperating obtuseness or lack of comprehension. "Slander" vs. "Libel": What Is The Legal Difference? - Dictionary.com All rights reserved. Please let me know in the comments area, below, if you found this article helpful, and what I could do to make it better. May 10, 2019 at 04:06 AM. Like no one cares about you, hates you. Assertiveness Can Improve Your RelationshipsHere's How, Should You Say Person With Autism or Autistic Person? In the United States, defamation suits are limited by First Amendment protections of free speech, but its still best to be careful. "Retarded" described someone mentally, socially or physically less advanced than their chronological age. accusing someone of a crime they did not commit, spreading a rumor about an untrue affair, and claiming someone has false credentials. The term applies to in-person interactions, like standing inside a restaurant and shouting false accusations about its sanitary conditions. Where your work meets your life. For example, you might tell your child it was foolish to think they wouldnt get caught trying to hide ice cream under their bed. Unless, of course, you aren't like that, and are perhaps more kinder than that, I'll appreciate a nice reply, if I ever get one. They know you need to communicate about whos picking up the kids, but they refuse to answer your calls or texts. Main I was hoping to actually learn about something other than the writers political views. Knowing that there may be sociological reasons for saying this may not make us less likely to use this phrase; however, it could help us understand that there is more to this utterance than serving as a condescending put down. If you feel proud to be an American, and if being an American means that you embrace things like democracy, equality, justice, freedom of religion, tolerance, and understanding, then someone who speaks against or denies these things is breaking the norms of what it means to be an American. Libel is written, published, or broadcast defamation. Posted by: So, it's not as bleak of an ending as I perhaps wrongly thought. Definitions of cretin noun a person of subnormal intelligence synonyms: changeling, half-wit, idiot, imbecile, moron see more Cite this entry Style: MLA "Cretin." Vocabulary.com Dictionary, Vocabulary.com, https://www.vocabulary.com/dictionary/cretin. When would crass be a good substitute for dumb? When someone says something hurtful, consider taking several seconds or longer to breathe, feel your feelings, and consider your response. It may sound like I'm kidding but it is true. After all, this is how people talk! The article claims certain people have thier "collective identity soiled" by people with other views and ideas. But you probably won't listen to me anyway, will you? Healing takes time, but its important not to isolate yourself. The good news is, though, that you can be part of a larger cultural shift to move away from using ableist language. This article was very interesting but it did not explain the situation I am trying to understand. Posted by: Jason Pollini | There are many articles about this backed by actual research and study. Also, telling someone theyre wrong is a lot more specific than just saying theyre dumb, especially if you have facts to back up why you believe that to be. From there, dumb developed a sense that means lacking intelligence or good judgment; stupid; dull-witted. As a result, the association with ignorance makes this word extremely offensive to people who are deaf or hard of hearing. That's why I often attribute this insult to those with low intelligence themselves. When it comes to language, ableism often shows up as metaphors (My boyfriend is emotionally crippled.), jokes (That comedian was hysterical!), and euphemisms (He is differently abled.) in conversation. A possible explanation is that calling someone stupid is an attempt to reinforce the boundaries of group norms and solidify our social (or collective) identities. Has it made you contemplate suicide? Whatever insult you pick. You may find it helpful to speak with a counselor or join a support group. ", Developmental Disabilities: Types, Causes, Coping, Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM) Overview, Understanding Body Language and Facial Expressions, Word Salad: What It Is and Why It Happens, Neurodiversity and What It Means to Be Neurodiverse. '", "In that case, it's a backhanded compliment, because it means you believe that person can act smarter next time. Don't know what it was exactly, but she did say something like "Though it may be funny, it's still a tragedy and that this tragic loss has had an impact on close family members and friends, who are suffering from this loss." If you've recently ended an abusive relationship, you're likely struggling with hurt and confusion. At least, I'm positive about that. * **********************************************/ Youve made it clear that youre not ready for kids, but your partner brings it up every month. Here are some other common words people use that are actually ableist: Ableist terminology can be rooted in how different brains work. Iris Stone White | Like other civil wrongs, defamation has a statute of limitations. When someone repeatedly uses words to demean, frighten, or control someone, its considered verbal abuse. Language is a tool we use to make sense of our feelings and environment. Calling people stupid to assert superiority doesn't seem like trying to preserve social norms or expressing disapproval. If someone with whom we align ourselves is acting stupidly, then our collective identity is potentially soiled and threatened by their actions. They may even offer support for those who lost their family member or friend. Even highly intelligent people can be ignorant. If you want to sound smart, while calling someone, well, lacking in vitality or intelligence; stupid, dull, or clumsy. First evidence of the word was recorded around 188090, as a respelling of the word, When someone doesnt know something, its not that theyre. For example, if a person discovers defamatory statements about himself in a radio show six months after the broadcast, he doesnt get an extra six months to file a lawsuit. But, when you are put down 100 times, over and over again, you start feeling disrespected, and it becomes hard to be around the perpetrators. Reasoning with an abuser is tempting, but unlikely to work. If you want to sound smart, while calling someone, well, dumb, use the wordgormless. As a journalist with a background in media studies, I spend a lot of time thinking about language and the words we choose to express ourselves. Unequal Aging in America | Some people adopt a set of beliefs when it is presented in a logical way. October 06, 2018 at 11:59 AM. Go Behind The Words! Limit your exposure to the abuser as much as possible. Whats the Difference Between a Panic Attack and an Anxiety Attack? Sign Out, (Name and email address are required. After all, verbal abuse often involves yelling, put-downs, name-calling, and belittling behaviors. For those of you who didn't know me, my name is Charles David Upchurch. Most states define defamation as a civil wrong. Although the words dull and dumb have much in common, dull suggests a slow or sluggish mind such as results from disease, depression, or shock. Posted by: Love Is Respect (National Dating Abuse Hotline), womenshealth.gov/relationships-and-safety/other-types/emotional-and-verbal-abuse, domesticshelters.org/domestic-violence-articles-information/10-patterns-of-verbal-abuse. | Immigrants and Voting . Arguments arent a zero-sum game: One person wont win at the detriment of the other. I don't expect for anyone to read my comment. Slander describes defamatory statements in the form of spoken words. 1 a : lacking intelligence : stupid pretended to be dumb b : showing a lack of intelligence asking dumb questions a dumb look on his face c : requiring no intelligence dumb luck 2 a : lacking the human power of speech dumb animals b of a person, dated, offensive; see usage paragraph below : lacking the ability to speak : mute 3 "I don't think they have a vision for reforming the health . Israel Hernandez | By being called "stupid" a lot I feel like people hate me and will never like me. Myth 4. Remember, defamation damages another partys reputation. Ron White has it correct . Fortunately, or unfortunately depending on how you look at it, we have countless opportunities to analyze the sociology of calling others stupid. In general, its easier to prove libel than slander, as the act of publication itself is considered injury to the other person. Our words, and the reasons why we choose them, reflect the times we live in. It's worked like a charm and he hasn't called me nor anyone else stupid in months. Defamatoryis first recorded in English around 12751325 and is ultimately derived from the Latin word diffmre (to spread the news of).