ProgrammingGodJordan
Banned
I am merely trying to convey the cultural baggage the word carries in the USA, and how that baggage makes it a very poor synonym for "foolish" in civil discourse.
Please do not use the word as a synonym for "foolish" again, unless your intention is be deliberately vulgar, cruel, dismissive an nasty. Expect hostile reactions when you use that word in the future, as it is a hostile word and one that provokes further hostility.
I am reminded of one of my former employers, who lost a client because he used the phrase "Jew me down" to describe a tough bargaining process with the client, and the client overheard him. Your arguments to defend your use of the word "retarded" sound very similar to the justifications he used over the phrase "Jew me down." In both cases something was said without intended hostility, but hostility was perceived as a result of the cultural baggage of the words used.
If you wish to be understood, you must contaminate clearly, with awareness of the nuances of the language you are using.
Oh, it appears this site is mostly USA populated, and it is pertinent that any member speaks in manner that makes USA people feel good...