I was just reading that the word 'lame' is now considered to be an ableist expression and disability campaigners are trying to get its use dropped from everyday language. Apparently it's offensive to anyone who could be physically described as 'lame' by having a bad leg or similar disability. I'm all for stamping out genuinely offensive language but this does seem to be taking it a bit far and the arguments given are, for want of a better phrase, a bit lame. If you say "that's a lame argument" is that really offensive to a disabled person? What are the alternatives 'poor argument' 'weak argument'? Those seem just as offensive if you're looking for offense. It's one of those cases where the word has never been used to ridicule disabled people and isn't used in that way in modern usage but the campaigners have leapt on it because of the etymology. I don't want this to sound like a Daily Mail "it's political correctness gone mad" type of rant but I'm curious if anyone actually agrees that the word is offensive?
If you can keep your head, while those around you are losing theirs, you may not have grasped the seriousness of the situation.
Offensive? Absolutely not. What I find offensive are those who have nothing better to do in life than find things to be offended by. More often than not these people aren't even part of the group who, if anyone, might have a basis for feeling offended against.
I have arthritis affecting hips/knees/feet so some days I'm a bit lame, but it's a lame excuse for putting off doing the housework. I'm not offended by legitimate uses of the word "lame".
Doncaster, South Yorkshire. Soil type: sandy, well-drained
I certainly wouldn't find it offensive to be termed "lame" if I had something wrong with my leg/foot which meant I couldn't walk properly. Perhaps it is a case of some people taking the word "lame" ( when used in the context of a lame excuse/argument ) to infer that a lame person is simply making a fuss and cannot think of a valid reason to explain their disability - What does strike me as offensive is the word "ableist" - offensive to the ear that is I've not come across the word before. Does it denote a person who is so perfectly well formed both physically and mentally ( Superman/woman) that they consider themselves able to do absolutely anything, including speaking for the less able ? Or maybe as @KT53 says they have run out of stuff to be offended by ? Just to take it a step further - will the word "limp" also soon be deemed offensive ? I sprained my ankle whilst out walking and had to limp home. Or, as this is a Gardening forum, my plants look a bit limp after all this hot weather. Lame is not a derogatory term.
When out for a 5 mile run this morning I went head over heels on a path across a field and twisted my ankle which is a bit sore now as the plonker I am I kept running, not much choice really as I was 2 miles from home.
Am I lame?
'The power of accurate observation .... is commonly called cynicism by those that have not got it.
I certainly wouldn't find it offensive to be termed "lame" if I had something wrong with my leg/foot which meant I couldn't walk properly. Perhaps it is a case of some people taking the word "lame" ( when used in the context of a lame excuse/argument ) to infer that a lame person is simply making a fuss and cannot think of a valid reason to explain their disability - What does strike me as offensive is the word "ableist" - offensive to the ear that is I've not come across the word before. Does it denote a person who is so perfectly well formed both physically and mentally ( Superman/woman) that they consider themselves able to do absolutely anything, including speaking for the less able ? Or maybe as @KT53 says they have run out of stuff to be offended by ? Just to take it a step further - will the word "limp" also soon be deemed offensive ? I sprained my ankle whilst out walking and had to limp home. Or, as this is a Gardening forum, my plants look a bit limp after all this hot weather. Lame is not a derogatory term.
"/ˈeɪ.bə.lɪst/ treating people unfairly because they have a disability (= an illness, injury, or condition that makes it difficult for them to do things that most other people can do): An ableist society is one that treats non-disabled individuals as the standard of “normal living”.
I think impairment sounds worse than disability.. I'm a bit deaf. I think I prefer forms etc to use the word difficulty. I often say: ' I'm a bit deaf. Could you speak louder/ repeat/ take your hand away from your mouth/ face me.....? " I'm not going to say disability or impairment.
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What does strike me as offensive is the word "ableist" - offensive to the ear that is
Just to take it a step further - will the word "limp" also soon be deemed offensive ? I sprained my ankle whilst out walking and had to limp home. Or, as this is a Gardening forum, my plants look a bit limp after all this hot weather.
Lame is not a derogatory term.
Am I lame?
'The power of accurate observation .... is commonly called cynicism by those that have not got it.
George Bernard Shaw'
"/ˈeɪ.bə.lɪst/ treating people unfairly because they have a disability (= an illness, injury, or condition that makes it difficult for them to do things that most other people can do): An ableist society is one that treats non-disabled individuals as the standard of “normal living”.
ABLEIST | meaning in the Cambridge English Dictionary"
'The power of accurate observation .... is commonly called cynicism by those that have not got it.
George Bernard Shaw'
I'm a bit deaf. I think I prefer forms etc to use the word difficulty. I often say: ' I'm a bit deaf. Could you speak louder/ repeat/ take your hand away from your mouth/ face me.....? " I'm not going to say disability or impairment.