Wow. So I looked up the history of words for the impaired because why not.
Apparently the word cretin comes from French chrétien (Christian). The implication was people with impairments were "still Christian." Still human and deserving of dignity.
It went from being a plea for compassion and tolerance to offensive and gross.
That's really depressing.
Can we just like not evolve the English language anymore?
Seriously?
Just leave it as it is. Add new words as required. That's it.
@Elizafox I'm all for evolution that improves the language, but natural selection doesn't have a role, here - it's survival of the most prevalent, not of the fittest.
@Elizafox That is not the only thing... People with disability have had it very rough under Christianity. It was seen as a sin. Luther, The creator of Protestantism, had for instance the opinion that disabled people was daemons and should be put to death. It is not until recently and under the influence of what started with the Enlightenment that Christianity have become leaner.
@shellkr There were people who would take them in, but, yeah, they were cursed or considered sinful.
@Elizafox Can you link me to the source on that? I'm curious to learn more about this stuff.