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July 24, 2007

Choice Words

Many would benefit if people stopped using words incorrectly to describe disagreeable things

Story by: Ray Edward Buffington IV

The Shorthorn Staff

Click to enlarge

The Shorthorn: Isaac Erickson

All I’m asking for is a little R-E-S-P-E-C-T. Put back in the PC, please.

That would be Political Correctness.

One of the most annoying things in this world, especially for a writer, is when people misuse words. They carelessly sling the slang out into the world with the intention of making a statement with their word choice but instead insult cultures and groups of people.

Two words in particular are massively overused and in the wrong context.

“Gay” and “retarded” are often uttered as insults or to describe something as silly or foolish.

For example, one student may comment to a friend about the strict rules a professor has in his or her class, and the student’s friend might say, “That’s gay.”

Or another student may complain about a grading curve that didn’t help his or her grade, saying, “That’s retarded.”

In both instances, words are used in a defamatory context and should be replaced with more appropriate words.

Stating that something or someone is “gay” means that something or someone is homosexual. Granted, the textbook definition of gay is “having or showing a very lively mood,” but the word also defines boys who like other boys or girls who like other girls, thereby offending the gay culture when used in a derogatory way.

Since when is something being gay bad?

Thanks to the rainbow-wielding group of same-sex oriented people, the world is provided with hot hairstyles, fierce wardrobes and beautifully decorated homes. Nothing negative there.

Deeming something “retarded” is calling it mentally handicapped.

Those who are mentally handicapped have no control over their state. Calling someone “retarded” mocks people with these conditions and is basically picking on someone who, in many cases, can’t defend him or herself.

Believe it or not, there are alternatives to using these two words.

A few substitutes for “gay” could include imbecilic, obtuse, rash, thickheaded, idiotic or unintelligent.

In lieu of “retarded,” use asinine, cockamamie, imprudent, preposterous and incautious. It’s easy, m’kay?

While it may seem ridiculous to use some of these other words, you are not gaining any cool points by continuing to use “gay” and “retarded” incorrectly.

So pull out your thesaurus, stop being incongruous and insensate and start being apt and astute.

— Ray Edward Buffington IV is a print journalism junior and staff writer for The Shorthorn