I noted when watching some people debate that the loser was described as 'too spastic to partake in civilised debate'. That's plain wrong I think. Anyone agree?

To bulk the argument, here is the history of the word, as I am aware of it

Spastic was a charity or something dedicated to helping people with disabilities. Slowly the word began to enter popular culture as a word to describe a disabled person, and became an offensive term. The charity changed the name, but the word stuck.

I think the use of the word in this way is wrong and should be changed. If it already has, meh, shoot me.

Anal much?

I'm sorry, what now?

I found that quite sad to see too. And I must say I'm surprised at Rhysus.

It is a bit in bad taste, I find. I mean, it's just a word, but so are 'nigger', 'fag', 'spik', 'fundie' and the like.

Quidgyboo's in trrooouble...

Also, i'm going to take a cheap shot and use dictionary.com...

1. Of, relating to, or characterized by spasms: a spastic colon; a spastic form of cerebral palsy.
2. Affected by spastic paralysis.
3. Offensive Slang. Clumsy or inept.

adj 1: relating to or characterized by spasm; "a spastic colon"; "spastic paralysis is a spastic form of cerebral palsy" 2: suffering from spastic paralysis; "a spastic child" 3: affected by involuntary jerky muscular contractions; resembling a spasm; "convulsive motions"; "his body made a spasmodic jerk"; "spastic movements" n : a person suffering from spastic paralysis

You're offended by their use of the word spastic. The fact that anyone would be offended by that is, to me, extremely anal retentive. It's depressing how many things people can find to get upset about when they've been conditioned to find negative connotation in anything they see.

Heh, Guido, they are words. If I get in trouble for using those as simple examples, well, that's a bit silly. But meh. I fit the label for one of the words I used anyway.

And it is sad, Rhysus, but it's how things are. If no one took offence at any words I used, I wouldn't care about the words used by others. but they do. I have to trim my vocabulary all the time just in case someone might take what I say in the wrong sense.

Besides, I have a cousin who would fit the actual term 'spastic', and to have it used as an insult in an incorrect sense, well, that is a bit off.

I know, Qui... quiggidy... q... Laneth. But still, for the very reasons you stated, my point stands.

Anyway, I never go out of my may to be nonoffensive. If you don't like what I say, tough luck, I don't give a damn about your feeling and don't expect you to give a damn about mine.

(Today's main course is spicy southwest Guido!)

I think this is a good degree of overvigilance for political correctness. It's an adjective. It can be used.

I'm going to take a page out of Wiccan Humor and show you to numbers 17 and 18 - Priest(ess) of Political Correctness and Our Lady of Intense Suffering.

17. Priest(ess) of Political Correctness

Analyzes everything they read or hear for sexist-racist-homophobic- imperialist-Eurocentric content without paying attention to what is actually being said. Believes in personal liberty -- everyone has the right to be overbearing, dogmatic and holier-than-thou, not just the Xtian Right. Incredibly boring yet annoyingly self-righteous all at the same time.

DISTINGUISHING SIGNS: Beady hyper-alert little eyes are constantly in motion, waiting for someone to do or say something bad. Has loud and attention attracting hissy fits when confronted with everyday things such as advertising or corporate franchises. Rudimentary sense of humor is rarely activated.

18. Our Lady Of Intense Suffering

Is constantly persecuted. You're probably persecuting her right now, you just don't realize it. Became a Pagan because she decided it was that most persecuted religion of all. Can't enjoy anything because it would be selfish to have any fun when so many are suffering.

DISTINGUISHING SIGNS: Tales of woe. Even less of a sense of humor than #17. Bristles when anyone says the words "masochist" or "whining"

Spastic an adjective referring to the act of having spasms, such as when you eat spoiled Taco Bell and suffer from colon spasms or, in the more extreme form, have a muscle disorder like MS that causes them to involuntarily spasm. I always associated this use of the word with a connotation of spluttering. I picture someone, after losing a debate they felt was a sure shot, just stuttering and gibbering nonsensibly trying to find the right words but failing. Sort like someone have "thought spasms" or speaking in a mannar that is analogous to what your bowels do after eating spoiled Taco Bell. If "spastic" is considered a slur in some area then I would suspect it is localized to some small specific region as it certainly has no negative connotation in my part of the world.

I hate Taco Bell.

I agree. They have -horrible- drinks. It's like they water down all the soda.

Fair enough. Just so you know, though, it is often used as an insult here in Australia.

Really? First I've heard of it as an insult (other than calling hyper children spastic). What exactly does it mean in Australia?

Spastic, retarded, stupid. More or less about the same as 'idiot'.

Wow, really, so it's not an insult in America? It's one here too. Spastic/spazz/whatever is used for disabled/retarded people as an insult here. Odd how us and Australia are often so similar on these things.

Ouch. And we have a fairly large Aussie population, too.

Yeah, pretty much what dlanod said. It's a way to call someone dumb and insult their intelligence. Many people even cringe when talking about the Spastic Society (set up to gain donations and spur research into the causes of mental disablities, I think). It's a big no no word over here. I've never heard it used in Australia in the way that Roark describes; as a spasm or some such thing.