Edwin Pawlowski wrote:

> "Damsel" > wrote in message
> >>
> >>I disapprove of euphemism. People used to be crippled, then
> >>handicapped, then (god forbid) differently-abled.
> >
> > People with disabilities. They/we are, first and foremost, people.
>
> Yes, but if you are crippled, you are crippled. A fancy name does not
> change the facts. Slang names (such as the "gimp" referred to) are hurtful,
> but our society would rather change names than deal with the fact. Cripple
> has been in the dictionary for a few centuries.

It's a sad fact that some labels develop negative connotations when used by the
general public. Idiot, simpleton and morn used to be medical terms to describe
lower levels on mental ability. Now they are just insults. Mentally retarded is
no loner acceptable in some circles. Even deaf and blind have become politically
incorrect. Wheel chairs are now personal mobility devices.

> What is more demeaning than the "human resources" department instead of the
> personnel department? Are you merely a resource or are you a person?
>
> If you looked at me you'd say I'm bald. It does not alter the fact if you
> called me a "person of hair growth impairment" instead.

I refer to my bald patch as a solar panel for a sex machine :-)