But the fact is, discussions about the negative effect of a word such as “dumb” – a term originally denoting a deaf person who did not use speech, but which now functions as slang for something brutish, uninteresting or of low intelligence

Speaking of facts

dumb (adj.)

Old English dumb, of persons, "mute, silent, refraining from speaking or unable to speak," from Proto-Germanic *dumbaz "dumb, dull," which is perhaps from PIE *dheubh- "confusion, stupefaction, dizziness,"

Now, as for actual discussion to be had, unfortunately our language is entirely coded in slights towards different groups of people. In calling someone "a sinister villain who's a part of a cabal", I've called them a left (handed) farmer who is Jewish.

At some point we do need to accept that these negative words, which are at their fundamentals, slights to certain groups of people, have taken on a new meaning, and that their misuse as slights against those people only really applies contextually. I do think that terms like "stupid" and "idiot" have achieved that level of shift.

Feel free to disagree with me of course, I'm not here to tell you you or your experience is wrong, and I'm more than happy to have an actual discussion on this. ❤️

I agree with the use of disabilities like blindness and deafness as metaphors for something negative is a hurtful practice.

On the other hand, for words that have a very archaic meaning to refer to someone's condition (that subsequently is replaced with a different definition in common usage), I think it is best if people let go of such old definitions. People should not allow themselves to consider such usage as a slight upon them, unless such phrase was used specifically as a slur against that person.

And that goes for any kind of word. For example, if I use the terms master/slave in a discussion about computer hardware, it's clear I'm not talking about any enslaved population. To make a fuss about that, to me, is people making things their problem and quite silly.

Didn't someone really waste time writing an article about statements like "falling on deaf ears" being hurtful? There saved everyone a click.

BBC, giving a lesson in respect and language? (chuckles queerly)

I don't feel that I can describe the... pride of being unique to people who haven't felt it. It feels so natural that of course a non-disabled person would want to maximize their fitness and freedom and essentially not have the same concerns and certainly not have a community over an innate quality of themselves.

Asking people to remove these phrases is asking them to be mindful of their communication, asking them to be considerate and empathetic. And it's so easy to slip back in, I was raised on these phrases.

But I will tell you the journey is rewarding. It's opened me up to friendship with people who would write me off if I did use this language, people who wouldn't share their perspective on life if I hadn't put the effort in. That discomfort with talking to disabled people that I felt as a teen? That's gone. I see mentally and physically disabled people as human, with all the same ability to show me or teach me something as anyone else. It feels great, like a weight off of my shoulders.

Trying hard to remove "crazy" from my vocabulary, but I hear it so fucking often it's turning out to be really hard. But I find it's a pretty lazy word to use, anyway.