This is the way things have always been. Use a word to classify something, and it’ll be quickly turned into an insult and/or slur.
Words like “idiot” were originally medical terms used to describe those with mental illness or special needs. Then people started using it to insult people they didn’t like. And every replacement quickly gets similar treatment. When I was growing up, the term “Mentally retarded” was the preferred and most common term to use. Then people hijacked it and turned it into a general-purpose insult. Today, the word “Special” is getting similar treatment. And whatever term will become the new acceptable term will get the same treatement in short order.
The same happens with race. Every classification of race eventually gets devolved and turned into a racial slur. And then when they start using a new term to describe them, the racists quickly turn that into a slur as well. This will be no different. Just like they did before, bigots have once again taken a general purpose term and turned it into an insult. And if it gets bad enough where people have to start renaming their DE&I departments and programs, whatever term is used to replace DE&! will be given the same treatment.
A professor I had in undergrad once use the term “vernacular treadmill” to describe that process. It just keeps spinning and we have to update what we define as insulting as it becomes used that way.
This is the way things have always been. Use a word to classify something, and it’ll be quickly turned into an insult and/or slur.
Words like “idiot” were originally medical terms used to describe those with mental illness or special needs. Then people started using it to insult people they didn’t like. And every replacement quickly gets similar treatment. When I was growing up, the term “Mentally retarded” was the preferred and most common term to use. Then people hijacked it and turned it into a general-purpose insult. Today, the word “Special” is getting similar treatment. And whatever term will become the new acceptable term will get the same treatement in short order.
The same happens with race. Every classification of race eventually gets devolved and turned into a racial slur. And then when they start using a new term to describe them, the racists quickly turn that into a slur as well. This will be no different. Just like they did before, bigots have once again taken a general purpose term and turned it into an insult. And if it gets bad enough where people have to start renaming their DE&I departments and programs, whatever term is used to replace DE&! will be given the same treatment.
A professor I had in undergrad once use the term “vernacular treadmill” to describe that process. It just keeps spinning and we have to update what we define as insulting as it becomes used that way.
“Euphemism Treadmill” on Wikipedia. Very interesting subject!