stop the ignorance

defending retarded

A pet peeve of mine is how people love to express their opinion about how 'gay' something is, knowing full well that what they are saying is a lingustic contradiction (gay means happy or homosexual, but is ususally associated 'on the streets' with negative connotations), or if they really mean it in the negative, homophobic way, than calling something 'gay' is truely offensive. Here are some synonyms for the word gay: 1. gleeful, jovial, glad, joyous, happy, cheerful, sprightly, blithe, airy, light-hearted; vivacious, frolicsome, sportive, hilarious. Gay, jolly, joyful, merry describe a happy or light-hearted mood. Gay suggests a lightness of heart or liveliness of mood that is openly manifested: when hearts were young and gay. Jolly indicates a good-humored, natural, expansive gaiety of mood or disposition: a jolly crowd at a party. Joyful suggests gladness, happiness, rejoicing: joyful over the good news. Merry is often interchangeable with gay: a merry disposition; a merry party; it suggests, even more than the latter, convivial animated enjoyment. 2. brilliant.

However, when decribing something as retarded you are usually (granted the word is definitely overused) using the word properly. See below.

re·tard 1 (rĭ-tärd') Pronunciation Key

v. re·tard·ed, re·tard·ing, re·tards

v. tr. To cause to move or proceed slowly; delay or impede.

v. intr. To be delayed.

n. A slowing down or hindering of progress; a delay.
Music: A slackening of tempo.

When being 'socially correct' just make sure you understand why.