3 ms·
I think that was a poor example, especially since it was phrasal rather than lexical. Let's take the word "bitch". It is deemed "offensive" but it's original c
by onedev 13y ago
I think that was a poor example, especially since it was phrasal rather than lexical.
Let's take the word "bitch". It is deemed "offensive" but it's original connotation was just simply "female dog". However it evolved into the meaning it has today.
- PavlovsCat 13y agoYou just miss the point. "Retard" "evolved" by being used as an insult, because mentally handicapped people were looked down upon. Because being likened to was an insult (just like "bitch" [1]). For those affected, and those who caring more for them than for those who can't be arsed to expand their vocabulary into other directions, it still means "mentally retarded", and it being used to mean something else, something derogatory, is still hurtful and thoughtless. Exactly like saying "being a girl" when meaning being squeamish etc. Whoever downvoted that either didn't get the sarcasm or the point. [1] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bitch_(insult) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bitch_(insult)