this post was submitted on 16 Dec 2024

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the euphemism treadmill is a description of linguistic patterns, not a get out of rule free card (files.catbox.moe)

submitted 6 days ago* (last edited 6 days ago) by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

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Using ableist language as insults is always bad, even if the words seem innocuous. Some may reference the "euphemism treadmill" to try to justify their behavior, but it's crucial to understand that the treadmill is merely a linguistic observation. It does not exist to normalize ableist behavior.

what is the euphemism treadmill for those who dont want to google

more reading if bored

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[–] [email protected] 4 points 4 days ago (1 children)

There are limited examples of this effect working in reverse. Take the word "Nice" for example. Nice back in ye old medieval times used to be a synonym for "stupid" or "simple" so saying someone was "nice" was insulting. Then there was this prolonged long fad where things being very plain and straightforward was considered a good thing and "Nice/simple" gained a positive connotation. Saying someone is "simple" or a "simpleton" retains this original sort of vibe but "Nice" now just means pleasant.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 4 days ago

huh TIL thank you! 😊

[–] [email protected] 2 points 4 days ago

Who are you to tell me which words I can and cannot use? You can judge my intent, not my vocabulary. Im asking for permission to smoke and swear.

[–] [email protected] 11 points 4 days ago (1 children)

Can't wait till neurodivergent becomes the new slur and we invent a new word to describe it so people use that instead of a slur which then becomes the new slur so we invent another new word to describe it so people use that instead of a slur which then ...

[–] [email protected] 4 points 4 days ago

i hope instead the cycle could be broken in some way. :/ other folks in the thread are pointing out that ND is a term created by its own community, which could add to its resilience. i hope they are right!

[–] [email protected] 9 points 5 days ago (1 children)

Just about any term that refers to someone else can be used as an insult!

So as the old saying goes "offense is taken, not given". If you want to be insulted, you will be.

I find, people who insult others are saying more about their own character, than that of the target.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 4 days ago

You would think that, you pencil...

[–] [email protected] 6 points 5 days ago (1 children)

Idiot is ableist?

[–] [email protected] 2 points 5 days ago

it isn’t necessarily, unless it’s used with ableist intent. good explanation someone made

[–] [email protected] 7 points 5 days ago (1 children)

du hast doch lack gesoffen "idiot", "neurodivergent" & "lame" als abelism zu bezeichnen.

was so angry/disappointed in that post that i couldn't get the message across with English.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 5 days ago (1 children)

That's angry. (0o0)

[–] [email protected] 1 points 5 days ago

eh angry doesn't fit how i felt. upset maybe? anyway i could only bring across my emotion via german

[–] [email protected] 2 points 5 days ago (1 children)

... would you like to walk away from Omelas..?

[–] [email protected] 3 points 5 days ago

i get the reference but not how it applies here

[–] [email protected] 9 points 5 days ago (2 children)

how is special needs ableist?

[–] [email protected] 2 points 5 days ago

it’s not, unless there is intent. i see draconic left a great reaponse to you so i will give that my seal of approval instead of rewriting.

[–] [email protected] 22 points 5 days ago

Anything is ableist if that's the intention is to be ableist. "Cognitive impairment" or "Brain damage" are clinical terms, but if one decides they can also be ableist insults.

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