Seems like its regional. Some areas really hate it. Others its totally fine to use at work. Thanks to the internet, both can interact and think the other is odd.

Here's a good test for whether it's a slur. Would you say it in front of someone with Down's Syndrome, or would you find another word?

Just learning how slurs work?

I think Lemmy is over sensitive about these things too. To me, retard is more like a funny word. But there are plenty of people who think it should never be used anymore because of actually retarded people and how they may feel.

Also, the word is banned from YouTube I think, and possibly large parts of reddit as well. :) I think its silly but whatever, I can live with not using it, sure.

@DrDickHandler @CoffeeGhost Has been for decades.

Without taking sides in this debate, let me just say that you'd have an easier time arguing that "slurs are sometimes okay to say" than trying to argue that "'retard' isn't a slur".

It's like, 100% a slur. You know how ethnic slurs are called ethnic slurs? That's because there are non-ethnic kinds. Really curious what definition you use for slur that wouldn't include "retard". It's an old-timey word used to describe a specific type of person, which is now largely considered offensive by that type of person, and has become used in a general sense as an insult...I mean, what box does it not check?

You're either 15 or 65. No way you're a dense edgelord.