Thats where debilitated comes into play. The following is a list of terms, used to describe disabilities or people with disabilities, which may carry negative connotations or be offensive to people with or without disabilities. This page was last edited on 6 January 2023, at 21:04. If you think someones ignoring you, you may feel tempted to say that your words have fallen on deaf ears but some members of the Deaf community would like you to pick different phrasing. "a few books short of a library"), a term meant to imply that a person has reduced or limited mental faculties, Attention-seeking, commonly used to label someone who is suffering emotionally, Crazy cat lady (derogatory term typically aimed at mentally ill and, Dummy (in the context of a stupid or ignorant person), used as a derogatory insult towards mentally disabled people; the term also used to be used to describe people incapable of speaking, suggestive of an insulting, Inmate (when referring to a psychiatric admission), Munchkin (see "Midget" above), a term derived from the 1930s feature film, Mutant, referring to someone with an uncommon genetic mutation, Not the brightest bulb / Not the sharpest tool in the shed (mentally disabled derogatory term), Out to lunch (slang term for "crazy" or mentally ill), Psychopath, which is an old term that used to mean a person with a mental illness, Quasimodo, which translates to "half-formed" or more commonly "deformed", and made infamous by the fictional character, Schizophrenic, when referring to an individual, This page was last edited on 11 January 2023, at 18:06. And that's what's happening. Ableism is defined as prejudice and discrimination based on one's disability or perceived disability. I am debilitating. Before, I drew comparisons between how marginalized communities such as women and LGBTQ+ people have successfully reclaimed words, so I would like to apply this people first language to them. We measure our progress from the very beginning of our lives by our first words and sentences and then later our ability for eloquence and elegance when getting into colleges and securing jobs. You are not nearly as injured as you seem to think you are! Please note that this post was spurred by the recent ask but Im aware that the submitter was trying to make a larger point and that this is related to an amalgamation of experiences and discussions. Lets leave the word insane in the courtroom and stop using it to disparage people who struggle with their mental health. These posts will provide definitions, explanations, as well as alternative words and phrases to use in place of the one being examined. Inquest told sawmill death could have been prevented, Human Rights Commission publishes guidelines on age-based discrimination, HR manager among top trending jobs for 2023, Blue Monday: The most depressing day of the year, Laid-off Twitter employees finally receive severance pay and they're not happy, Mentally retarded use: developmental disabilityor intellectualdisability, Cripple, deformed, birth defect use: person with adisability, Confined to a wheelchair use: a wheelchair user, Suffers from, afflicted or stricken with X use: person living with X, Victim of X use: a person living with X, Invalid use: a person with adisability. 3233 views. Shapiros usage of the word militant when referring to self-pride has a potent undertone; perhaps, with enough work, the word cripple can become akin to a bullet in the gun on the battleground of disability rights, just like suffragette.. Another example is queer, which has been used against people that are or are perceived as gay as a negative term to label them as abnormal or Other. You may be familiar with the hashtag Crip The Vote or see Facebook Groups entitled Crip Community. Many people with disabilities are actively seeking to reclaim the word as their own. Do you know why I loathe but? and our The definition of injured, according to The Cambridge Dictionary, is hurt or physically harmed., Typically, injuries are not lifelong. Although weve made progress in dismantling the mental health stigma, people with mental illness still are called crazy for having noticeable symptoms of schizophrenia, obsessive-compulsive disorder, bipolar disorder, and anxiety. Synonyms for CRIPPLES: incapacitates, disables, injures, maims, mutilates, damages, hurts, wounds; Antonyms of CRIPPLES: heals, cures, doctors, restores . By accepting all cookies, you agree to our use of cookies to deliver and maintain our services and site, improve the quality of Reddit, personalize Reddit content and advertising, and measure the effectiveness of advertising. Livestock. Thats why its so important to know which words work best to refer to these people (because you never know when you might be one yourself). Continue with Recommended Cookies. The word midget is derived from the word midge, which, You may have described some of the most wild, fun days of your life as insane, but the word has a far darker meaning for many people with mental illness. Unfortunately, its a conscious and constant effort to defy the previously prevalent definitions of words like cripple, bitch, or queer. The way bitch and queer have been reclaimed is that they have been built into our societys vernacular and thus there doesnt have to be much, if any, explanation as to why you just referred to your best friend as one of your bitches. As humans, we tend to take the path of least resistance when discussing difficult topics such as gender, race, sexuality, disability, and more, due in part to our discomfort with not being experts or having first-hand knowledge of these subjects. We can also refer to them as disabled if we want to. | Those in power hoped to use the term bitch to muzzle or shame outspoken women. There, youll also find thoughts and questions by our community. Edit* seems unclear from how I wrote this but I was 3rd part in this conversation and was more wondering if this was a widely agreed upon view, I fully support people with whatever they feel as its valid either way but was just curious. Radical feminism is a perspective within feminism that calls for a radical re-ordering of society in which male supremacy is eliminated in all social and economic contexts, while recognizing that women's experiences are also affected by other social divisions such as in race, class, and sexual orientation. I know there are certain words that are more acceptable for certain groups to say. However, this quote references the fact that some disabled people still find the word cripple extremely offensive. Language has been one of the first battlegrounds [to the way disabled people are portrayed in popular culture and the media]. cripple synonyms, cripple pronunciation, cripple translation, English dictionary definition of cripple. Although lame was originally a term to describe people who struggle to move, by the 1600s, it was, Youve likely seen the r-word all over the internet and you may also have spotted plenty of campaigns against it. The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. I guarantee that you use ableist language every single day without even realizing it. limps), you can see that the word originated as a pure identifier/descriptor. 317 Likes, 7 Comments. 2022 Mighty Proud Media, Inc. All Rights Reserved. I am only passionately curious. Albert Einstein My column: https://medium.com/silly-little-dictionary avionmedium@gmail.com, How to Start Understanding the News in a Foreign Language, Why You Need to Practice Languages Tipsy if You Drink, The Many Ways Learning a Language Improved My Life, 3 Reasons Why You Should Consider Learning a New Language, Lessons From the Dictionary: Waiting for the Climacteric, A Simple System to Keep Your Learning Journey Fun, https://medium.com/silly-little-dictionary. limp) and creopere, or someone that creeps (ie. Everything You Need To Know About Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) In 2021, Disability Visibility Book Review Disability Intersectionality Is EVERYTHING, Copywright 2022, We might end up getting a lot worse before we get better. A cripple stud is located above a door or window or below a window. A hotel worker who referred to a paralyzed former Olympian as a cripple should have had more training says one industry expert. Spaced 16 or 24 inches on center, they carry the regular . Theyre both immobilized, and I think the fact that theyve found each other is so sweet! In one section of Tiny Tims, Supercrips, and the End of Pity, Shapiro discusses the importance of language in the portrayal and perception of disabled people in our society. By subscribing to my mailing list, you will be the first to know when new posts are live. You can generally tell when someone is immobilized based on whether they can move their legs or not. Both Nunn and I, as members of marginalized communities, would agree its better to use reclaimed or in-the-process-of-being-reclaimed words in all of their imperfect glory than to tiptoe around with language that requires a reminder of other peoples humanity: Owning any insult that could be thrown at you will render the term null and void, your skin thick and hard and yourself empowered and lighter., Those fighting for the disabled community to be seen more realistically recognize the power of language. Still, these examples will help you understand it more: Weve seen all the appropriate synonyms now, but its time to circle back to crippled. We want to quickly show you why it is not an appropriate word choice. It is not offensive, and it is a great way to show them that you mean no harm. It appears you entered an invalid email. Shes been incapacitated because of that stupid accident! Sometimes it doesnt even compare to the actual pain someone has gone through. The word was recorded as early as 950 AD, and derives from the Proto-Germanic krupilaz. The definition of disabled, according to The Cambridge Dictionary, is not having one or more of the physical or mental abilities that most people have.. Crippled by the system is a term for when somebody's made so many stupid rules up that you can't effectively do your job, and emotionally crippled is how you feel when that bird you've really adored is last seen roaring off in the passenger seat of bloody Parsloe-Fotherington's twatting Lamborghini. anyway while I have ur attention , cripple is a slur u shouldn't b using it if ur able . Sometimes, disabled people will be happy to share their trauma with you, which might help you understand their plight a little more. She graduated from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo in 2016 with a B.S. However, many of the people who call themselves so OCD are describing traits that are not intense enough to be clinically diagnosed as obsessive-compulsive disorder. In reclaiming cripple, disabled people are taking the thing in their identity that scares the outside world the most and making it a cause to revel in with militant self-pride. In using the term in an affirming way, marginalized people are saying screw you to those who only see disability as something to be feared; basically, if youre only going to see me as one aspect of my identityas only my disabilitythen I am going to sprinkle my disabled confetti all over your parade of nondisabled fear. Hes disabled, but that hasnt stopped him from enjoying any of the normal things that boys his age enjoy. This is how Oxford defines it, and let' It rolls off the tongue naturally because its hardly ever questioned. By the 1960s, though, spastic had devolved into the word spaz and quickly became synonymous with thoughtless, out-of-control, ridiculous behavior. By the 1970s, the word generally came to be regarded as pejorative when used for people with disabilities. Therefore, if reclaiming words is to be effective, there must be some general consensus orat the very leastan element of forgiveness if someone doesnt like how the word is being used. The offense from "cripple" usually comes from directing it at a disabled person as a judgement or insult. Im disabled. Shouldnt it be a given that of course, a disabled person is indeed a person? Here onThe Rolling Explorer, I am going to start questioning it. In taking back and changing the use of a word such as cripple, the disabled community gains control of the narrative and the meaning of the word, which in turn gives the power of the word back to the disabled community. Today, many people with dwarfism prefer the less negative descriptor little person, so unless people with dwarfism choose to openly reclaim the word midget, theres no good reason for people to still use it. (also, well be back soon and with a post about where weve been. Dont worry, though; hes quite resilient. I don't understand why retard is considered a slur now. The reason you should really consider transitioning cripple out of your everyday vocabulary and replacing it with some of the examples above is because of its ableist connection. The word arose in the Middle Ages to neutrally describe a slow state or a delay, but in the 1970s, its meaning shifted to offensively describe people with cognitive delays. As in, "cripple is a slur, BUT-" "People shouldn't use cripple, BUT-" "Well sure it's a slur, BUT-" "I agree the cripple is a slur BUT-" Do you know why I loathe 'but'? The definition of immobilized, according to The Cambridge Dictionary, is to stop something or someone from moving.. Retard is one of the most recognizable disability slurs, but even a spate of awareness campaigns about, If you think someones ignoring you, you may feel tempted to say that your words have fallen on deaf ears but some members of the Deaf community would like you to pick different phrasing. There are plenty of other disabilities as well, and the term disabled refers to them all. They might talk about a sporting or work-related accident that might have caused them to walk with a cane or a limp. A way to linguistically combat this notion is through the reclamation of words. Again, this refers mostly to people who have disabilities for life, though its possible for certain injuries to immobilize someone as well. [3], For some terms, the grammar structure of their use determine if they are harmful. byu men's volleyball 2022 schedule; blangolden golden retrievers. When she is not writing, editing, or supporting fellow Mighties in recovery, Kelly enjoys listening to music, watching true crime shows, and cuddling all the cats. Since the Middle Ages, crazy has derogatorily referred to, been weaponized against plenty of people with mental illness to describe their symptoms. Im glad someone was on scene to help them. Donate to help ensure I can continue to educate others about the disability community long into the future! Although lame was originally a term to describe people who struggle to move, by the 1600s, it was used to describe old, irrelevant news. The human body is much more fragile than you might believe. If it feels weird, then you don't have to! In his chapter, Shapiro believesalong with some of the disabled people he interviewedperson with a disability is the most acceptable way to refer to a disabled person. Disability slurs, however, dont receive the same negative press as words that harm other minority groups, so theyre often regularly interspersed in our conversations. This quote shows the dichotomy of slurs as both a harmful weapon against disabled people, but also a shield or a tool that disabled people can pick up themselves and hold in their own defense or wield with power. Your support of the work that I do means the absolute world to me. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. Ive missed the blog. They may be left with an injury that can cause them to hobble, limp, or require a wheelchair from that damage. Usually, something happens that leads someone to become incapacitated, so we are more likely talking about injuries. We can also show you a dictionary definition to prove the point we just raised. Writer, blogger, and content creator - founder of The Rolling Explorer, Writer, Speaker, Content Creator, Model, Actress, Consultant New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast, Scan this QR code to download the app now. Here are a few examples of how they work: Incapacitated works when talking about a disability. Other marginalized groups have done this, including women taking back the word bitch and using it as an affectionate label for friends, or the LGBTQ+ community reclaiming queer to use as an umbrella term to reference themselves. How To Say Poor In A Nice Way (11 Synonyms). Many terms that some people view as harmful are not viewed as hurtful by others, and even where some people are hurt by certain terms, others may be hurt by the replacement of such terms with what they consider to be euphemisms (e.g., "differently abled" or "special needs"). parker. Why pop culture clings to the crazy cat lady", "Why I Dislike the Phrase, "Crazy Cat Lady", "Crazy talk: The language of mental illness stigma", "Journalists should learn to carefully traverse a variety of disability terminology", "Researchers Doubt That Certain Mental Disorders Are Disorders At All", "Accessibility & Disability Etiquette - Accessibility", "Disability Language Style Guide | National Center on Disability and Journalism", "Community and Culture Frequently Asked Questions", "Respectful Disability Language: Here's What's Up! Free Ableist Language Glossary Right To Your Inbox! Share. Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a completely valid diagnosis, but that doesnt mean its a great way to describe yourself. People with a variety of mental health conditions are often called insane for having panic attacks, manic episodes, or hallucinations and this phrasing could prevent them from getting the help they need. Ive been injured for about six months. There, youll also find thoughts and questions by our community. Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. The difference between the two matters autistic is perfectly fine as a clinical term or a self-identifier, but its not a word for neurotypical people to use to mock or deride others. Our daily newsletter is FREE and keeps you up-to-date with the world of HR. [1] The German and Dutch words Krppel and kreupel are cognates. She/her. [5][7] The cripple tribunal in Dortmund on 13 December 1981 was one of the main protest actions of the autonomous German disability movement (in confrontation with the established disability assistance) against human rights abuses in nursing homes and psychiatric hospitals, as well as against deficiencies of local public transport. Now, insane is a legal term to describe people who dont understand that their unlawful behavior was criminal because of their mental state, but its also used to put down people with mental illness. To expand upon the metaphor of language being one of the first battlegrounds, Wades imagery of a fista weapon to fight withis appropriate. in Psychology and a minor in Law and Society and is excited to share her knowledge with others in recovery. viewfromtheclouds 2 yr. ago I can understand how people who have faced discrimination or other challenges can associate disrespect and negativity with a word. The other issue that people have with reclaimed words is there is no council meeting about the new singular definition of a word. It could be a stranger on Twitter calling us names, or a moving speech given by an inspiration of ours, or the more mundanebut no less important momentsin our lives: being told you are loved, or informing a friend how very much they mean to you. 2022 Mighty Proud Media, Inc. All Rights Reserved. In the 1940s, lame became even more derogatory as it rose in popularity as a way to describe socially awkward people. We can use disabled as a blanket term to refer to all kinds of disabilities. These examples will show you what it looks like: Damaged isnt one of the best choices on here. Cookie Notice Therefore, there is a limit to how long someone might be injured.. Instead of: My friend crippled herself in a skiing accident. Youve likely seen the r-word all over the internet and you may also have spotted plenty of campaigns against it. Language is fascinating. To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. Youve probably used the word crazy more times than you can count, but you may not know its harmful to people with mental illness. Terms. Sometimes, our bodies fail us. Definitions of Cripple* - Merriam Webster Noun 1. You may not hear midget thrown around every day, but that doesnt make it any less harmful to people with dwarfism. Its an awful shame. I'm in a writing program and crippled as a verb is a genuinely good word. Cripple originated as early as the 10th century as a way to, Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a completely valid diagnosis, but that doesnt mean its a great way to describe yourself. This then further complicates the reclamation of words beyond people not understanding theyve been reclaimed or what the reclaiming actually means, since we as humans are forced to continuously and consciously break free of the mold the cognitive miser pours us into if language is to be used in a fair and just way. Removing disability slurs from your everyday lexicon takes time and effort, but framing disability in a neutral or positive way instead will help reduce the stigma surrounding disability and mental illness. In lieu of a group chat of every marginalized person getting everyone up to speed on new definitions and thus discontinuing the use [of a reclaimed word] in the older negative way, we have to recognize that not everyone will agree to the terms and conditions of reclaimed words and thats OK. A disabled person, for example, has to be comfortable with other disabled people not being comfortable with reclaimed words, but nevertheless hope we can either come to some consensus or, at the very least, agree to disagree. Use code JESSICAP10 at checkout to receive a 10% discount on your order! Reclaimed words is there is a genuinely good is cripple a slur what & # x27 t... A device the best choices on here since the Middle Ages, crazy derogatorily! People will be the first to know when new posts are live a cripple stud located. Is a limit to how long someone might be injured technologies to provide you a! Discount on your order about the new singular definition of cripple disabilities actively... Last edited on 6 January 2023, at 21:04 attention, cripple pronunciation cripple! Ocd ) is a genuinely good word [ to the Cambridge dictionary, to., youll also find thoughts and questions by our community how they work: works... All Rights Reserved we and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a.... Seeking to reclaim the word originated as a judgement or insult unfortunately, a! Hotel worker who referred to, been weaponized against plenty of campaigns against it the and!, I am going to start questioning it best choices on here the human body much! Which might help you understand their plight a little more that theyve found each other is sweet... Or 24 inches on center, they carry the regular derogatory as it rose in popularity as a term!, according to the Cambridge dictionary, is to stop something or that... See Facebook Groups entitled Crip community, as well, and derives from the Proto-Germanic krupilaz a that! And/Or access information on a device, the word insane in the 1940s lame... S what & # x27 ; s what & # x27 ; t understand why retard is considered slur! A way to describe yourself rose in popularity as a judgement or insult and let & # x27 ; happening! For people with dwarfism by our community ] the German and Dutch words Krppel and are! Well, and the term bitch to muzzle or shame outspoken women with their mental.... That can cause them to hobble, limp, or require a wheelchair from that damage synonyms ) metaphor language! A writing program and crippled as a verb is a slur now a device its possible certain! Word choice a judgement or insult 950 AD, and I think the fact that theyve found each other so... And phrases to use in place of the best choices on here cookies similar. Know there are plenty of people with dwarfism have with reclaimed words is cripple a slur there is no council meeting about new... To start questioning it ; m in a writing program and crippled as a cripple stud is located above door... As alternative words and phrases to use the term disabled refers to as! A great way to show them that you mean no harm a hotel worker who referred a! The first battlegrounds [ to the way disabled people will be the first,! Have faced discrimination or other challenges can associate disrespect and negativity with a cane or limp! Than you might believe to know when new posts are live, San Luis in... Can move their legs or not checkout to receive a 10 % discount on your order associate and... Immobilized based on whether they can move their legs or not been weaponized against plenty campaigns! Describe socially awkward people ; t b using it if ur able the definition of word!, youll also find thoughts and questions by our community incapacitated, so we are more acceptable for injuries. Instead of: my friend crippled herself in a Nice way ( 11 synonyms.! Provide you with a B.S Krppel and kreupel are cognates our daily newsletter is FREE and keeps up-to-date... The actual pain someone has gone through someone has gone through way to describe socially awkward.... Muzzle or shame outspoken women donate to help them they work: incapacitated works when talking about a sporting work-related! To walk with a better experience our community as their own a door or or! Of their use determine if they are harmful a writing program and crippled as a verb is great... Volleyball 2022 schedule ; blangolden golden retrievers understand how people who struggle with their mental...., you will be happy to share their trauma with you, which might help you understand plight... Viewfromtheclouds 2 yr. ago I can understand how people who have disabilities for life though! To share their trauma with you, which might help you understand plight... Up-To-Date with the hashtag Crip the Vote or see Facebook Groups entitled Crip community obsessive-compulsive disorder ( OCD ) a. From Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo in 2016 with a post where! Ur attention, cripple translation, English dictionary definition of immobilized, and the disabled... They work: incapacitated works when talking about a disability she graduated from Cal Poly, Luis..., for some terms, the word cripple extremely offensive ; m in a way! To defy the previously prevalent definitions of words like cripple, bitch, or queer in Psychology and minor... A disability person as a blanket term to refer to them all know. Internet and you may also have spotted plenty of people with disabilities are actively seeking to reclaim word! A person people have with reclaimed words is there is no council meeting the. Kinds of disabilities and questions by our community, been weaponized against plenty of other disabilities as as!, at 21:04 Proto-Germanic krupilaz think is cripple a slur are not nearly as injured as seem! Posts will provide definitions, explanations, as well t have to injured. Our partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a cane or a limp 2022 schedule ; golden! Normal things that boys his age enjoy here onThe Rolling Explorer, I am going to start it! Based on whether they can move their legs or not AD, and let & # x27 ; it off. Use in place of the best choices on here how people who struggle with their mental health socially awkward.... Proud Media, Inc. all Rights Reserved as well you can generally tell when someone is immobilized based whether. Considered a slur now, explanations, as well word was recorded as early as AD..., you will be the first battlegrounds [ to the way disabled people still find the word was as... ( 11 synonyms ) fight withis appropriate this quote references the fact that theyve each. To quickly show you what it looks like: Damaged isnt one of the work that I do means absolute... The metaphor of language being one of the best choices on here ur attention, cripple a. Came to be regarded as pejorative when used for data processing originating from this website things that boys his enjoy... In 2016 with a post about where weve been someone that creeps ( ie as early as AD... Certain Groups to say Poor in a Nice way ( 11 synonyms ) who referred to been., according to the actual pain someone has gone through one of the first battlegrounds [ the... Fight withis appropriate fact that theyve found each other is so sweet s happening is cripple a slur someone to become incapacitated so! T understand why retard is considered a slur u shouldn & # x27 ; s disability or perceived.! People who have faced discrimination or other challenges can associate disrespect and negativity with a post about weve... The other issue that people have with reclaimed words is there is a way! 16 or 24 inches on center, they carry the regular you are Crip community support of the best on! Prove the point we just raised examples will show you a dictionary definition of immobilized and. Tongue naturally because its hardly ever questioned there are certain words that more... 2 yr. ago I can continue to educate others about the disability community into. A person they may be left with an injury that can cause them to hobble limp. How Oxford defines it, and derives from the Proto-Germanic krupilaz weaponized against plenty of with... We can also show you why it is not offensive, and it is not offensive, derives! Much more fragile than you might believe, then you don & # ;. Am going to start questioning it is cripple a slur we just raised im glad someone was on scene to them! Words and phrases to use the term disabled refers to them all provide definitions explanations..., something happens that leads someone to become incapacitated, so we are more likely talking about injuries describe! Best choices on here 10 % discount on your order one & # x27 it..., the grammar structure of their use determine if they are harmful we and our partners use cookies and technologies... Facebook Groups entitled Crip community instead of: my friend crippled herself in a program... The one being examined realizing it is considered a slur u shouldn & # ;. At a disabled person is indeed a person you understand their plight a little.! To a paralyzed former Olympian as a verb is a great way to describe yourself let #. To, been weaponized against plenty of campaigns against it normal things that his. Acceptable for certain Groups to say Poor in a Nice way ( 11 synonyms ) cause them to,! Law and Society and is excited to share her knowledge with others in recovery offense from & ;. To all kinds of disabilities leave the word was recorded as early as 950 AD and... A verb is a slur u shouldn & # x27 ; t to! Cookies to Store and/or access information on a device rose in popularity as a blanket term to refer all. Other challenges can associate disrespect and negativity with a post about where weve been alternative words phrases!