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Comment by MJR | Hacker News Reader

While I disagree with why these are on your negative list - “branding”, “beautiful”, “passion”, “making a difference”, “modern”, “clean”. "Making a difference" can read pretty darn close to "Return on investment", etc.

I actually stopped reading when you used the phrase "babbling like a retard". As a Christian like you profess to be, I would probably look a little more closely at the words you choose.

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What would be an acceptable phrasing to convey the same idea? Serious question.

"...dressing well but babbling like a retard." Rewritten: "...dressing well but babbling on without end."

Looking good but speaking poorly is the message he's trying to get across, not being mentally challenged.

As a Christian like you profess to be, I would probably look a little more closely at the words you choose.

What's the religious link to the word "babbling" or "retard"?

Babbling isn't the issue - retard is. I don't think anyone likes being called a slur or derogatory term. The Christian aspect is just referring to treating others the way you would wish to be treated. It's pretty simple, no deep religious connotations.

I wholeheartedly agree with this comment. Using "babbling like a retard" is akin to employing the n-word in terms of being considerate to a world-wide audience.

When did the word retard start carrying the same weight as nigger? Is it an American thing?

If you're not American, you'll probably understand when I say it carries the same weight as "spaz".

Spaz is a nothing word in Australia. I found this article which begins to explain the change: http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=1124793...

It's not on the same level, but it is considered a mean, insensitive word. When I was a kid (70's - 80's), it was used occasionally, but not that much. Advocates for the mentally retarded became vocal about the use of the word, and, for lack of a better term, it has since been considered politically incorrect. Since that time, I've noticed that usage of the word "retard" has gone way up. Same for the word "gay". Such is human nature.

Have noticed it (opposition to the word "retard" in that context) in Australia as well.

  Q: how do you know if somebody is from the US or Europe?

  A1: I take offence at that question.
  A2: I don't take offence at that question.

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