Also, I don’t agree with the OP and think it’s fucking dumb, but let’s not forget that “retard” used to be a medical term as well
Comment on obesity
takeda@lemmy.world 4 months ago
Obese is a medical term though and Dr … PhD should know that.
AWTM_James@sh.itjust.works 4 months ago
Benjaben@lemmy.world 4 months ago
That’s the way these things have always gone and probably always will. Retarded, imbecile, idiot, these were all effectively clinical terms (or whatever best approximated clinical practice in their eras) - they didn’t hold an insulting intention initially. People co-opted the terms to make fun of each other, as we do, and so professionals had to shift the clinical vocabulary so they weren’t using commonly hurled insults when discussing patients. And that means new words people can use to make fun of each other, yay! Which of course they did, necessitating another rotation. Pretty hilarious if you ask me.
The most recent example in my own life - my wife is in her mid 30s, and is pregnant - some medical professionals call this a “geriatric pregnancy”! But because some folks are getting offended by that term, they’re starting to use “advanced maternal age pregnancy”. Bit of a mouthful, I think they’ll get to keep that one.
Anyway. Carlin had a great bit on this phenomena, he’s the one who pointed it out to me.
usualsuspect191@lemmy.ca 4 months ago
I’ve heard this called the “euphemism treadmill”
Benjaben@lemmy.world 4 months ago
I like it, very succinct way to get the point across.
mPony@lemmy.world 4 months ago
As usual, George Carlin should be the go-to for matters of language
I see that someone wrote their thesis on it.
ChickenLadyLovesLife@lemmy.world 4 months ago
[deleted]elephantium@lemmy.world 4 months ago
Why does that upset/startle you? Pregnancy at age 35+ is associated with more risks than pregnancy in the 20s.
Seleni@lemmy.world 4 months ago
It is, though—women having children later in life are at higher risk for complications for both themselves and the baby. It also has a higher risk of birth defects.
RegalPotoo@lemmy.world 4 months ago
As was “negro” - and that’s kinda the point; just because a word is “official” doesn’t make it not discriminatory, just that the discrimination was backed by the power of institutions.
I don’t 100% buy the argument that the two words are equivalent, but I can see how “oh you can’t come here you are obese” could feel similarly arbitrary as “oh you can’t come here you are black”
anivia@lemmy.ml 4 months ago
That comparison is so bad that I’m not sure you are making it in good faith. Being mentally handicapped or belonging to a minority is not a choice, being obese is. If you make the conscious choice to be obese you really can’t complain about the consequences the same way the former can
QuantumSparkles@sh.itjust.works 4 months ago
Hello yes my name is Dr. PhD I have many college and come to bringun you the health. stat.
AWTM_James@sh.itjust.works 4 months ago
Not necessarily, a PhD isn’t a medical degree
Wogi@lemmy.world 4 months ago
Ok I looked her up, I had to know.
She’s a “fat-affirming” dietitian and her PhD is in “body positive medicine”
Her name is a blatant pun.
I don’t think I’m reaching when I say not only is the account fake, this person doesn’t exist, but that it was made to make fun of fat people.
teegus@sh.itjust.works 4 months ago
Sooo you’re saying it’s understandable for someone with a PhD to not have basic common knowledge?
AWTM_James@sh.itjust.works 4 months ago
I mean, sure. As someone who recently went back to school and is around a bunch of PhD and PhD students, they’re really, really smart… about their specific area of study. But more than some of them are fucking stupid when it comes to other, normal things
Tar_alcaran@sh.itjust.works 4 months ago
I’ve got one, and there are many many thing I’m an idiot on
candybrie@lemmy.world 4 months ago
Oh yeah. A PhD means you hyperspecialized for years. You get one by being the expert and advancing your field in, usually, one tiny tiny area. For anything that isn’t that tiny area? Likely to be a stupid as anyone.