Three Words I Hate

Have you heard about Obama's Special Olympics gaffe on the Tonight Show? Where he referred to his bowling skills as worthy of special olympics? Wow, surely not his finest moment. I read this article on CNN entitled Special Olympics takes on use of 'R' word, and I think they make an excellent point.

It reminded me of the two words that are commonly misused as slurs but that we all use anyway- myself included. And I really hate when I use them, but just can't seem to help myself. Here is a sampling "how gay is that?" and "wow, I am a retard" I really really don't think that the word 'gay' should be used to refer to something as stupid or dumb, but again, I can't seem to help myself. If I catch it before I say it, I hold back, but I am not very good at checking what I say. If I was, James probably wouldn't be running around now yelling "oh dammit!"

Isn't it funny how words such as gay and retarded started out as something completely innocuous, then took to meaning something else completely, and now are commonly used as slang? I find language simply fascinating.

Of course, I also hate the phrase "quit being so girly" or "you are acting like a girl" which is perhaps why I find myself saying in contemptible tones "typical male." Do we ever think about what we say and how offensive it can sometimes sound? Without intending to, everytime we use the word gay, retarded, or girly, contemptibly, we are in a small way tearing down a faction of society.

Now, I do find that as a society we are also very quick to take offense where none is intended- I certainly don't get after people every time I hear them making derogatory comments such as those. But at the same time, I think we should consider what we mean when we commonly drop "girly" as an insult. (okay, yes, that is the one i hate the most, and I NEVER use it.)