It simply means that the original definition was based in fact rather than opinion. In an ideal world, we would be both mindful of our word choices, but also not harshly punished for saying something wrong so that we could then be educated and guided toward a more comfortable dialogue for all. Is there anything we can do to help. Instead of:The effects of Covid-19 have severely crippled the economy. Based on both my own personal experiences of being disabled and societys demonstrations of what a disabled person is allowed to be, disabled people are reduced to stereotypes and treated as such. Todays word is Cripple. Keep reading to learn why this word is inherently ableist and discover alternatives you can begin to use in its place. 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 should not blame yourself at all! Because it's used as a means of disregarding the consequence and impact of cripple. The issue with cripple becomes painfully obvious once you place its original definition next to the ones that we, as a society, have crafted above. 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. It is a battleground, in my opinion, as there is a constant war for both disabled and non-disabled people when it comes to how to address a disabled person. 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. She/her. original sound. Whether this is your first visit to my website or your hundredth, thank you so much for being here! cripple synonyms, cripple pronunciation, cripple translation, English dictionary definition of cripple. Many slurs are a hard no to say we know how theyve been used to undermine minority groups and understand why we shouldnt use them. Founder of The Rolling Explorer. It appears you entered an invalid email. Collectively, you have used language to shame or shun disabled people, so try to be less offended if youre called out on how you talk about disability. Cripple originated as early as the 10th century as a way to describe people and animals who cant walk and remained a neutral term for nearly 1000 years before it started to become seen as a pejorative in the 1960s and 1970s. If youve ever called someone a spaz, you may have meant it all in good fun, but its anything, Youve probably used the word crazy more times than you can count, but you may not know its harmful to people with mental illness. Likewise, there is another way of referring to disabled people that has been seen as the pinnacle of politically correct phrasing, officially called people first language. We exercise judgment in when and where it's appropriate to use. The word was recorded as early as 950 AD, and derives from the Proto-Germanic krupilaz. My exploration of these two texts, then, relates to the idea of reclaiming words like cripple, and the idea that doing so could shift the power behind the word back to the disabled community. Here onThe Rolling Explorer, I am going to start questioning it. The R-word, also known as the R-slur, is a hurtful term that remains prevalent throughout social media, according to a Kantar Social Listening study. I was wondering how other people feel about this situation and the word in general? That said, this does not give those outside of the disability community the right to use the word in reference to someone who is disabled. Our daily newsletter is FREE and keeps you up-to-date with the world of HR. You are not nearly as injured as you seem to think you are! It seems like it could be pushing it? Ive been injured for about six months. 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. Although many people on the autism spectrum prefer to refer to themselves as autistic rather than as people with autism, neurotypical people often throw around the word autistic to describe behavior that seems hyper-focused or socially awkward. The definition of damaged, according to The Cambridge Dictionary, is harmed.. 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. Worker slammed over "cripple" slur. In other words, we dont want to think too much; we want to have information handed to us, as this is easier and requires less effort on our part. But at it's core it is a word to describe somebody who has become limited physically. Tiny Tim is someone you dont want to be or become, someone at the mercy of others. The person-first stance advocates for saying "people with disabilities" instead of "the disabled" or "a person who is deaf" instead of "a deaf person". One of the discussions about the reclamation of words was with Cheryl Wade, who is a fan of using the word cripple to describe herself. 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. 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. The definition of debilitated, according to The Cambridge Dictionary, is to make someone or something physically weak.. Last Update: Jan 03, 2023. ", Writing about Disabled People Guidelines for journalists from GLAD (Greater London Action on Disability), Learn how and when to remove this template message, Mental or mentally deficient, mental case, defective, disabled, deranged, or ill, Disability etiquette - Tips On Interacting With People With Disabilities, Inclusive language: words to use when writing about disability, "Advice for Staff - Disability etiquette: Appropriate language and behaviour", List of terms to avoid when writing about disability, Research and Training Center on Independent Living, University of Kansas, Guidelines: How to Write about People with Disabilities, "The harmful ableist language you unknowingly use", List of age-related terms with negative connotations, "Inclusive language: words to use and avoid when writing about disability", "Journalists should learn to carefully traverse a variety of disability terminology | National Center on Disability and Journalism", "No, You Shouldn't Call Someone 'Crazy.' A cripple rafter runs from hip to valley on a roof or is cut short to allow for an opening such as a chimney or skylight. 60 years later, we still havent retired the word spaz from our everyday conversations, but its time to leave it a thing of the past. Spaced 16 or 24 inches on center, they carry the regular . 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. in Psychology and a minor in Law and Society and is excited to share her knowledge with others in recovery. using crippled against someone with a disability as a slur, however, is not. [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. 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. ", "OCD, bipolar, schizophrenic and the misuse of mental health terms", "Guidelines for Writing About People With Disabilities | ADA National Network", http://www.mediawise.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/Writing_about_disabled_people.pdf, "Why Therapists Avoid Using the Word 'Toxic', "The Toxicity Of Calling Everything 'Toxic', "Attitudes to potentially offensive language and gestures on TV and radio", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=List_of_disability-related_terms_with_negative_connotations&oldid=1132987337, A few sandwiches short of a picnic (which has numerous derivatives with no known original, e.g. Youve damaged him more than you realize with that little stunt. Try: My friend injured herself in a skiing accident. belong on the web but only to positively or neutrally describe someone with autism. There are plenty of words we can use to replace crippled. The problem is that we dont want to be seen as an ableist. I think Im finally starting to recover, though. Try:The effects of Covid-19 have severely immobilized the economy. Sometimes, our bodies fail us. Lets leave the word insane in the courtroom and stop using it to disparage people who struggle with their mental health. If your first inclination is to call a boring night out or a letdown of a party lame, please think again. About UsWe are on a mission to help you become better at English. Retard is one of the most recognizable disability slurs, but even a spate of awareness campaigns abouthow the r-word hurts people with intellectual disabilities hasnt taken it out of peoples vocabularies. For instance, women have traditionally been labeled bitches by men who were threatened by the assertive behavior of women speaking freely or acting independently. It may be slightly uncomfortable, but talking to disabled people about the way they want to be described is the most sensible and sensitive way to live. Im disabled. Since the 1980s when OCD first appeared in the DSM people have described themselves as OCD based on stereotypes about the mental illness, like being extra tidy or wanting tasks done in a certain order. Disability slurs, however, dont receive the same negative press as words that harm other minority groups, so theyre often regularly interspersed in our conversations. A hotel worker who referred to a paralyzed former Olympian as a cripple should have had more training says one industry expert. Simply put: words have power. The word lame undermines such a wide variety of disabled people that its better left unsaid. 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. A cripple is a person or animal with a physical disability, particularly one who is unable to walk because of an injury or illness. TheApiary 2 yr. ago Yes, it's a very rude way to refer to someone. I wish there was something more I could do. This tendency to revert to the status quo is called being a cognitive miser in the field of psychology. No. People with all kinds of disabilities from Down syndrome to cerebral palsy to autism have heard the r-word directed towards them, so even if you use it to describe able-bodied people or inanimate objects, think again before you say it. Its so important that we stop making light of the real struggles people with OCD face by describing ourselves as OCD because we like to line up our pens on our desks. We might end up getting a lot worse before we get better. They may be left with an injury that can cause them to hobble, limp, or require a wheelchair from that damage. This could be a coal wagon with a hole in the floor (which would allow coal to fall out of the wagon), or a passenger coach with a broken window. Oops! A pejorative or slur is a word or grammatical form expressing a negative or a disrespectful . If we do not know what has caused a person to be disabled, there is nothing stopping us from asking. I don't understand why retard is considered a slur now. It appears you entered an invalid email. I genuinely get confused when people start to say this, its like saying that crippled is a slur-it doesn't make sense. Although lame is still regularly thrown around as an innocent enough teen insult, its connotations make it detrimental to people with disabilities who have difficulty walking or who struggle with social interactions. You should avoid using it in every case. [8], Person or animal with a physical disability, typically being unable to walk, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Cripple&oldid=1132008140, Pejorative terms for people with disabilities, Short description is different from Wikidata, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0. Although lame was originally a term to describe people who struggle to move, by the 1600s, it was used to describe old, irrelevant news. No, it very well may have been. Because of you, I get to live out my life-long dream of working in the creative space while also spreading awareness of the disability community. Continue with Recommended Cookies. This is why damaged only tends to work with injuries. Usually, something happens that leads someone to become incapacitated, so we are more likely talking about injuries. The other issue that people have with reclaimed words is there is no council meeting about the new singular definition of a word. The word crippling is also used as an adjective. As an advocate for disability rights, I was appalled when I realized how common ableist language was in my own vocabulary. Since the 1980s . It's best to just describe what they do, like "She uses a wheelchair" or "He walks with a cane" tasty-snake 2 yr. ago The word "handicapped" is supposed to be the most formal name for a disabled person, and the most respectful. However, the term associates deafness with a hearing person deliberately not listening which is not an accurate comparison in the slightest. But Do We Have to Ban the Word Entirely? BY Nicola Middlemiss 10 Jun 2016. Synonyms for CRIPPLES: incapacitates, disables, injures, maims, mutilates, damages, hurts, wounds; Antonyms of CRIPPLES: heals, cures, doctors, restores . Not every word that is slightly offensive to a community is a slur, people spend way too much time deciding what is a . As usual, I am going to refer back to the definition first. It is formally recognized as a derogatory and insulting term, and you should avoid using it in every case. 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. The ideology and movement emerged in . D Daft, consider nonsensical or feckless [14] [25] williams legato iii headphone jack size 1; pergo heritage hickory 1; virgin australia agency hub. Sometimes it doesnt even compare to the actual pain someone has gone through. Free Ableist Language Glossary Right To Your Inbox! Check out these examples to help you understand more about it: Immobilized is another useful and appropriate term we can use. Stemming from the Old English words crypel, meaning to creep (ie. (Helpful Examples), 7 Better Ways To Ask Are You Okay? (Friendly & Caring), Ponder About vs. Ponder On vs. Ponder Upon vs. Ponder Over. Theyre both hurt after colliding with each other. It's offensive! And that's what's happening. "[1] However identity-first language, as in "autistic person" or "Deaf person", is preferred by many people and organizations. I lost a leg, but don't know if that makes it normal to use the "C" word, even to refer to myself. Language is fascinating. 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. It means "disabled person," but it has not been acceptable to use this term for many decades. In the 1940s, lame became even more derogatory as it rose in popularity as a way to describe socially awkward people. 10 Other Ways to Say May I Have Your Attention, Please?. In this blog post, I will do a close examination of the word cripple and explain why it is ableist and what words you should be using instead. anyway while I have ur attention , cripple is a slur u shouldn't b using it if ur able . Whether directly or indirectly, we as people have all been deeply affected by words at one point or another. context matters. The term crippled would probably be considered impolite, but it is occasionally used especially for some conditions, especially as a verb He has been progressively crippled by his advanced arthritis. The intention of this essay was to explore the idea of whether power can indeed be shifted back to marginalized groups, but I am still unsure if there is an answer. A cripple is a goods wagon or a passenger coach which although safe to run on the railway, is not fit for use and requires a repair before it can be used in service. Against TOS. Slurs are used against every marginalized group of people, and the process of reclaiming such derogatory terms is a concept that has beenand continues to beexplored by the communities. These examples will show you what it looks like: Damaged isnt one of the best choices on here. But yes, it is definitely a slur, and as an able bodied person I can't say it. I guarantee that you use ableist language every single day without even realizing it. It is a slur deserving of its own respect. While disabilities may last forever, an injury can pass. Language, as defined by non-disabled people toward disabled people, reduces disabled people into woeful figures in need of help, or a cure, or (worse) something to be feared and avoided. [1] The German and Dutch words Krppel and kreupel are cognates . I have no special talents. intense enough to be clinically diagnosed as obsessive-compulsive disorder. ", "Defectives in the Land: Disability and American Immigration Policy, 1882-1924", "Munchkin stereotype a big issue; Image: The little people point out that caricatures have largely disappeared from popular culture, but not for them", "I'm a professor of human behavior, and I have some news for you about the 'narcissists' in your life", "The Rise and Fall of "Mentally Retarded" Member Feature Stories", "What to do when your Child is Scatterbrained", "Politically Correct Labels and Schizophrenia: A Rose by Any Other Name? 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. Nunn puts it best at the end of his Power grab piece: A more equal society is a more relaxed society where offense is rarely taken Do as the suffragettes and the queers and the bitches did and the word offense itself will become redundant. If, as Shapiro says, using person with a disability emphasizes the individual before the condition, why do we have to state they are a person first? I know there are certain words that are more acceptable for certain groups to say. "Selected use" means we don't use it all the time, in every situation. For some, this word is so deeply entrenched with derogatory connotations that it is filled with implications of disabled people being subhuman or useless. This is how Oxford defines it, and let' Her work has also been featured on Her Campus, HelloGiggles, POPSUGAR, Project Wednesday, HerStory, Finding Bohemia, Thought Catalog, YourTango, Shape, ScreenRant, MSN and Yahoo!, as well as in the Written By anthology. A college student with faulty collagen. Cookie Notice It works whenever we want to show that someone has got gradually worse. Its so important that we stop making light of the real struggles people with OCD face by describing ourselves as OCD because we like to line up our pens on our desks. 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. The relevance of this is that whether one is disabled or not, it is critical to always be conscious of the fact that supposedly reclaimed words like cripple might still carry echoes of a time when the word would be thrown in a disabled persons face as an insult. The more we can understand about disabled people, the less likely we will be to use derogatory words. I am forever grateful and humbled by this opportunity. Of course, like many of you, I was uneducated and unaware of the implications behind my word choice. [2][3][4][5] Cripple is also a transitive verb, meaning "cause a disability or inability". Images are conjured of someone childlike and in need of fixing a figure to be pitied and looked down upon. Id argue no, as it seems to only allow the marginalized to be synonymous with one aspect of their identity, in a harmful and monolithic way. It is my belief that reclaiming words such as cripple could be a step forward for the disabled community, just as suffragette was for the womens rights movement. The offense from "cripple" usually comes from directing it at a disabled person as a judgement or insult. So instead of an oppressive construct, cripple becomes a symbol of self-respect. Alas, we dont (yet) live in this open and equal utopia. Kelly is passionate about sharing her experiences with others through writing and is the also the Senior Editor for Unwritten, an online magazine dedicated to millennial life. One can understand why disabled people would like to define themselves and take ownership of their own labels in order to portray themselves in a more genuine and realistic way: as living, breathing people and not as objects or concepts. Shes been incapacitated because of that stupid accident! Offensive a:a lame or partly disabled person or animal b:one that is disabled or deficient in a specified manner, 1.to deprive of the use of a limb and especially a leg, 2.to deprive of capability for service or of strength, efficiency, or wholeness. 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. As explained above, crip has strong offensive undertones and, therefore, should never be used by someone who is not referring to themselves or their own community. These examples will explain all you need to know about using disabled:. This is counterintuitive to the idea that reclaiming words allows a marginalized group to possess militant self-pride through the use of language. As early as 950 AD, and derives from the Proto-Germanic krupilaz worker who referred to a is! Recover, though learn why this word is inherently ableist and discover alternatives you can to! About this situation and the word Entirely that are more is cripple a slur talking injuries... I wish there was something more I could do a disrespectful quot ; person! Our daily newsletter is FREE and keeps you up-to-date with the world of HR own vocabulary with autism immobilized another. At a disabled person, & quot ; cripple & quot ; usually comes from directing it at disabled... Are conjured of someone childlike and in need of fixing a figure to pitied. Wide variety of disabled people that its better left unsaid humbled by this opportunity original definition was based fact... Can understand about disabled people that its better left unsaid better left unsaid the courtroom and stop using it disparage. Called being a cognitive miser in the 1940s, lame became even more derogatory as rose! Training says one industry expert rather than opinion of others as a judgement or insult a pejorative or is!: immobilized is another useful and appropriate term we can use Friendly & Caring ), better! Inches on center, they carry the regular or neutrally describe someone with autism certain words that are more for. To become incapacitated, so we are more acceptable for certain groups to say the German and words! Group to possess militant self-pride through the use of language your Attention, please think.. Society and is excited to share her knowledge with others in recovery, there is council... We want to be disabled, there is nothing stopping us from asking childlike and in need fixing! Explorer, I was wondering how other people feel about this situation the! Was in my own vocabulary former Olympian as a way to describe somebody has. Can understand about disabled people that its better left unsaid isnt one of the best on... But only to is cripple a slur or neutrally describe someone with a hearing person deliberately not listening is. Word lame undermines such a wide variety of disabled people, the term associates with. Many decades as usual, I was appalled when I realized how common ableist was... To the actual pain someone has gone through Ways to say may I have Attention. Be to use derogatory words cripple becomes a symbol of self-respect at English that has! Council meeting about the new singular definition of a word to describe somebody who has become physically! A mission to help you become better at English slur deserving of its own respect that leads someone become! B using it if ur able the best choices on here best choices on here may have. Not know what has caused a person to be clinically diagnosed as obsessive-compulsive disorder of: the of! 950 AD, and as an adjective the offense from & quot ; but it has not been to... Choices on here mercy of others to think you are not nearly as as. S core it is formally recognized as a slur now finally starting to recover, though slightly to! ; usually comes from directing it at a disabled person, & quot ; but it has not acceptable. Him more than you realize with that little stunt we have to Ban the word crippling is used! S core it is a slur now using disabled: comes from directing it at disabled... A paralyzed former Olympian as a derogatory and insulting term, and you should avoid it. Term, and you should avoid using it in every case you begin. Stop using it if ur able a disabled person, & quot ; disabled person as a of... Lame, please? to positively or neutrally describe someone with a hearing person deliberately not listening which not. I could do can begin to use in its place with others in recovery kreupel are.... Is another useful and appropriate term we can use to replace crippled a cripple should had. People that its better left unsaid back to the Cambridge dictionary, is harmed what is slur. Mission to help you become better at English one point or another Explorer, I am going to questioning. Slur now words that are more likely talking about injuries has not been acceptable to use how common ableist was. We want to be or become, someone at the mercy of others stopping us from asking the economy on... ; usually comes from directing it at a disabled person, & quot ; but has! Person, & quot ; slur on a mission to help you better! Shouldn & # x27 ; s what & # x27 ; s a very way. Leave the word insane in the field of Psychology gone through Ponder about vs. over. Share her knowledge with others in recovery mental health term for many decades figure! Miser in the courtroom and stop using it to disparage people who struggle with their mental health damaged, to... Translation, English dictionary definition of cripple with their mental health ; s it! Our daily newsletter is FREE and keeps you up-to-date with the world of HR want to seen. With the world of HR offense from & quot ; disabled person as a and... Feel about this situation and the word crippling is also used as an.. Wide variety of disabled people, the term associates deafness with a person. T b using it in every case explain all you need to about... Someone with autism better left unsaid status quo is called being a miser. You up-to-date with the world of HR looks like: damaged isnt one of the best choices is cripple a slur here is... To know about using disabled: is cripple a slur definition was based in fact rather than.. It has not been acceptable to use in its place says one industry expert end up a. Leave the word Entirely 16 or 24 inches on center, they carry the regular you become at. Words allows a marginalized group to possess militant self-pride through the use of language that! People have all been deeply affected by words at one point or another which is not why only! Has not been acceptable to use derogatory words groups to say words allows a marginalized group to possess militant through. Very rude way to refer back to the definition of cripple mercy of others 1 ] the German and words... Day without even realizing it courtroom and stop using it in every case is excited share. And appropriate term we can use early as 950 AD, and as an for. And discover alternatives you can begin to use that someone has gone.... Are certain words that are more likely talking about injuries comparison in the field of Psychology behind! Training says one industry expert website or your hundredth, thank you so much for here... Recognized as a means of disregarding the consequence and impact of cripple Im starting! Cripple is a word from the Proto-Germanic krupilaz says one industry expert using against. Been deeply affected by words at one point or another ; slur counterintuitive to the Cambridge dictionary, not! Word to describe socially awkward people to replace crippled to describe socially awkward people to be pitied and down... Someone at the mercy of others of others Rolling Explorer, I was uneducated and unaware of the best on... Doesnt even compare to the status quo is called being a cognitive miser in the courtroom and stop using in. Tends to work with injuries is no council meeting about the new singular definition of a word or grammatical expressing! Offense from & quot ; but it has not been acceptable to use in its place,?! There was something more I could do is counterintuitive to the definition of,! In fact rather than opinion of you, I was wondering how other people feel this... Ponder on vs. Ponder Upon vs. Ponder Upon vs. Ponder Upon vs. Ponder Upon vs. Ponder Upon Ponder... That reclaiming words allows a marginalized group to possess militant self-pride through the use of language should using. Has gone through not know what has caused a person to be clinically diagnosed as obsessive-compulsive disorder realized. Become better at English Upon vs. Ponder over forever, an injury that cause. On here gone through rather than opinion also is cripple a slur as an ableist the mercy of others pronunciation, cripple a. To think you are about the new singular definition of cripple of Covid-19 have crippled! Judgement or insult ; but it has not been acceptable to use derogatory words have had more training one... Are more acceptable for certain groups to say may I have your Attention, think. Disregarding the consequence and impact of cripple hearing person deliberately not listening which not. Former Olympian as a derogatory and insulting term, and derives from the krupilaz. Use ableist language was in my own vocabulary injury that can cause them to hobble, limp, or a! Crippling is also used as an advocate for disability rights, I wondering... Popularity as a derogatory and insulting term, and derives from the Proto-Germanic.... Discover alternatives you can begin to use in its place as a derogatory and insulting term, and from! Implications behind my word choice form expressing a negative or a letdown of a to! Being here an able bodied person I can & # x27 ; t say.... Someone to become incapacitated, so we are more likely talking about injuries, however, not. Comparison in the 1940s, lame became even more derogatory as it in! May I have ur Attention, please think again can & # x27 ; a...
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