...is the word 'spastic' offensive?

Considering the differences between American colloquialisms and British ones, what would be a similar word to replace 'Spastic'/'Spaz' with? Newb?

Might I enquire as to why the word "Spastic" is bad in the UK? When I hear the word spastic, i just think of a hyperactive kid. Does it mean something else in the UK?

What's wrong with the word "spastic"?

Call me old school but, I don't remember "Spastic" being a bad word.

Maybe it means something totally different in Europe.

Please clarify

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spastic

here in North America is just a minor insult {don't be such a spaz, (don't stress so much, or calm down)}, if you use it in the UK your making fun of a charity that brings awareness about people suffering from Cerebral palsy.

Making fun of a charity that stands for equality,
that would make either very Ignorant or just plain evil.

Nintendo was being ignorant about localizing there game: obviously nothing intentional.

What is going on with the world have we gone "PC" mad again it seems that before long if you say the word BLACK you will get hell for it is about time that people to a long hard look at the use of words cause if we dont well all be getting in deep shit for using a so called "offencive" word so come on world let get a grip and sort this hole mess of worms

I don't get how the word "spastic" could be offensive. Maybe someone from the UK could explain.

Is "spastic" a bad word in the UK?

Since when i spastic a no no word? Spastic describes a person who is itchy on the trigger finger. of, relating to, or characterized by spasm is the dictionary meaning. My mother called me a spaz when i was a child and i laughed. seriously. Man the world is different across the pond....

I cant believe people in the UK have gotten that stupid.

this is so ridiculous...video games can show people killing prostitutes and saying all kinds of vulgar and offensive language..but nintendo says "spastic" and it causes outrage? is there some alternate meaning to this word I'm not getting?

To my US friends - over here calling someone a spaz or spastic would be to imply that they suffer from spastic cerebral palsy - a crippling disease which affects muscle control. Yeah, sometime's it's used semi-affectionately, in the same way that some black people call each other nigger (btw, I hope anyone reading that doesn't take offense) but at the end of the day, over here, it can be a really offensive word. If you think that's bad - we have a nursery rhyme "Bah bah black sheep" which in the interest of PC, has been renamed to "Bah bah rainbow sheep"

God forbid anyone get offended. I'm really sick of the world all of a sudden deciding that anything making fun of anyone else, no matter how vague, is suddenly unacceptable. I got made fun of as a kid. Do I live in a box because of it? No.

Getting bullied teaches you how to deal with real life. I swear in 10-20 years we're going to have nothing but a world full of pussies like the French because no ones ever been picked on.

@Shadowmaster625

You shouldn't be that ignorant as to blame a nation to how it's language has evolved. They can't help it if that word means something truly offensive. It's basically the same that I would find a strange offensive word in your native language and blame your country and it's citizens for being stupid. Do you think it makes sense to make that kind of accusation?

Hi, just to explain that in the UK the term 'spastic' was used for a very long time as a word to describe mentally disabled people.Generaly it was never meant to be a kind word. British people find it very insensitive and wrong to use this word in modern times.

I just have to say that that last comment was TRULY uncalled for.

While we're on the topic of insensitivity.

D

they really are crazy

There was no need to use the N-word at all. You can explain the why the word is offensive, witout offending a group of people. As for the American who said that everyone is going to be dumb as the French, where the hell do you get off attacking anyone. There is no reason to snipe. We wonder why the world is in such a sad state. So, what if you got bullied as a kid...that doesn't make it right. The word is offensive in the UK and they have a reason for it, so it's not for anyone to judge unless you are British. That's my angry two cents.
One Love

The term spastic refers to a person who has random involuntary movements. People who are spastic tend to be made fun of by people who are ignorant or stupid. This is not a cool use of language.

They need to untwist their bloody knickers.

people cant take jokes any more. they all run to mommy when someone calls them a name. and spastic is certainly not a bad word. its not like calling some one a honkey or a cracker or a wetback. just like frank on everybody loves raymond, "get off your pitty pot nancy and act like a frickin man." "holy crap."

Look if you don't meet the criteria then offense cannot be taken. I am not french therefore I don't take offense to being called dumb! Words only hold meaning when you take them to heart. Comedy apparently is on it's way out and the liberals will kill humor if it's the last thing they do. Look it's either ALL on the table to make fun of, or nothing is. If we can't laugh at the dead, who can we laugh at?! The problem arises with this exact situation either you accept the fact that you cannot control what others say or do and trying to only makes you look insane, like this does. SO AGAIN IF THE WORDS BEING USED DON'T PERTAIN TO YOU PERSONALLY DON'T TAKE THEM AS SUCH.

First, we're talking about Mario, not Manhunt here. Clearly, the word has serious negative connotations in the UK that it doesn't have in the US. Accept that. There's nothing proud or macho about using a word that apparently mocks those with a disabling disease. If ignorant bullies use it in the parking lot, that's one thing...its very different for a corporation to include such language in a game designed for kids and families.

"SO AGAIN IF THE WORDS BEING USED DON'T PERTAIN TO YOU PERSONALLY DON'T TAKE THEM AS SUCH."

Because sometimes those people can't defend themselves. There's nothing wrong with the strong defending the weak.

Spastic in Britain & Australia is typically used as a derogatory name for a mentally/physically challanged person. Retard would be another example. - Not the sort of language you would use in a family game.

Well I don't think they are at all, it's hard to make sure you search every word in every culture to ensure that it is Politically Correct as possible. People really need to lighten up. If it was a plain swear word I can see the fuss. And even still if you went out of your way to block everything that might taint a young persons mind well that would be one restricitve and oppressive world now wouldn't it?

This is absolutely ridiculous. Anyone taking offense to any of this is a spastic retard... oh my, now I've done it. Oh wo-is-me, what shall happen now?! Shall I be flamed without mercy, or hurtled into the infinite empitiness of cyberspace?... who cares? Really, who cares? If you can be so greatly offended by something as minor as this, you don't deserve to share this world with the rest of us. Please exit at the next stop. Thank you. Don't come again.

I thought Nintendo was the most family friendly Company? lol

If you're going on about how dumb the Brits are for having a DIFFERENT CULTURE THAN YOURS, then you need to step back and gain some maturity and insight. You are ignorant. The world does not revolve around you or your country or your beliefs. Part of my professional business education is to learn the customs and beliefs of various cultures around the world. MANY cultures regard certain colors and animals and symbols differently than the United States, and anyone who belly-aches about this is uneducated and ignorant about the world in which they live. They (you) need to stop, wake up, learn. English is only the world's THIRD most spoken language, and there are more non-white U.S. citizens than white citizens. There, now you've begun your way to getting an education. The rest is up to you. ALL business is catered to the customs and laws of the country it's in. Get a CLUE.

How would you like to be insulted by a video game for a life-changing condition that was out of your control? You already have to live with it and cannot escape it everyday. It's like the Nazi's labeling the Jews and branding them and spitting on them everyday. It is no different to put such an insult into a video game, regardless of intent. There are just some things that you don't do, it's called RESPECT. To get it, you have to give it. Until you learn this, you are everything you despise in others. You are disliked by society because you cannot respect it. The only difference here is that you choose to be disliked. Someone with Spastic Cerebral Palsy cannot always help being disliked. Next time before you open your mouth or type online, I urge you to attempt some deeper thought before you write/speak.

"There's nothing wrong with the strong defending the weak." Be it financial need, the beginning steps, or the last days of breath - we are all weak at some point in our lives. It's funny how the age when men feel they are most sure of themselves and the most strong, they are also the most ignorant because they believe they know so much.

" Look if you don't meet the criteria then offense cannot be taken. I am not french therefore I don't take offense to being called dumb! Words only hold meaning when you take them to heart. Comedy apparently is on it's way out and the liberals will kill humor if it's the last thing they do. Look it's either ALL on the table to make fun of, or nothing is. If we can't laugh at the dead, who can we laugh at?! The problem arises with this exact situation either you accept the fact that you cannot control what others say or do and trying to only makes you look insane, like this does. SO AGAIN IF THE WORDS BEING USED DON'T PERTAIN TO YOU PERSONALLY DON'T TAKE THEM AS SUCH.
blessman"

This is the problem with American's today. They have no respect for anyone. I am ashamed of my country. What's even more sad is that when the "big brother" acts like brat, then the younger siblings think it's ok to act like dumbasses too. Our "civilization" is spreading, but it's mostly the bad parts of it.

Just don't buy products that offend you. It takes millions to recall and change something and that should only be for stuff that is unsafe. There is always going to be somebody offended by something.

It really shows how overly sensitive and pathetic people can be and it seems to be getting really, really bad in the UK. So according to 2 UK posts, spastic roughly means in the UK what retard means here. Not a nice word, but to recall a game for it is totally pathetic.

Anyone know the context of it? Like did it occur after you failed one of the mini games and it was like "(OMG)Why are you such a spastic?" I can't think of when this would actually be used, even in a "different version".

... for 4 years and I never heard ANYONE (British or not) call someone a spastic. I agree, the word doesn't have the meaning it has in the USA. It's basically the same as retard, but unless you ARE a retard why would you take offence? Maybe that proves that all Brits are retards... but I know they're not. Its probably some group of highly sensitive parents or something that caused the ban. Damn, the world is becoming more and more sensitive these days, following the steps of USA.
I, on the other hand would like to pose a Ban on all mario games because of princess Peaches name. The name is highly erotic and should be changed!!! HEHEHE, damn fruits!

That was the last time I heard it used as an insult. The Spastic Society refuelled the argument recently by changing their name (I forget what to) because Spastic was "offensive".

"Ignorant" simply means "lacking knowledge or comprehension of the thing specified" according to the merriam-webster dictionary.

Every single person on earth is ignorant on some matter or the other.

Wisdom comes from knowing what you do not know.

Those who believe or pretend they have no ignorance are the ones whose insight I seek the least since I never know if they are truly speaking of what they know or simply saying something which sounds convincing.

As a previous post commented - it's about showing fellow humans some respect - something that the detracters on this board seem incapable of.

It's offensive to the majority of people in the UK because they care for and respect the feelings of those less fortunate than themselves.

If you find it difficult to understand that then you have my pitty.

They made a product, and found out that if it remained as is, it would not sell as many units, its a simple economic decision by a corporation, easier to change it and save face/money. besides to all the people who have a problem with the change: do you play mario party 8 and if so does this hamper your enjoyment of the game. maybe when you are designing games you can include/remove whatever language you wish, 'till then you gotta go with the flow - bruce lee --> 'be da wata'

There are really two sides to this. Teach your kids young to label people or teach your kids young that the world is full of labels already and that they can be above it.

THE USA ROCKS!! And so does the rest of the world!!!

If we as a country want respect from the rest of the world, which we are not getting allot of lately, WE NEED TO RESPECT THE REST OF THE WORLD ALSO!!

Come on, so what if we think spastic if silly, THE UK DOESN'T!! Most gay guys I know don't like being called a fag, but if you want a smoke in the UK, you need to ask for a fag. We, as humans, use different meanings for the same word sometimes, GET OVER IT...OH MY VARIOUS GODS, WHAT IS UP WITH US? Are we so full of ourself that we cannot except any other views from around the world just cuz they differ?!?!

It offended them, so Nintendo did the right thing. Should be case closed.

Probably not a popular view, but it's MINE.e

It is just a word and always will be. Richard is right when he says we are raising a generation of pussies that can’t take any sort of conflict or abuse. If you choose to let it offend you then that's your deal. I choose to think of it as nothing more than a word…

People who let mere words anger them are truly weak pathetic individuals. Whatever happened to just ignoring what someone says or not purchasing a product if you don’t like the language it uses? Since when is it okay for us to force our will on others just because they aren’t allowed to offend us? Next thing we know they will be making laws for words so you get charged for a hate crime just by saying them. Oh, wait a second! We already did that…

All kinds of offensive stuff could be found in porno movies but yet I don’t see any porn studios issuing public apologies. I would have told the UK to stick it if I was in charge at Nintendo. If you find the game offensive then don’t buy it! Why does it need to go any further than that?

I don’t understand where the world is going with all this. We have created a world where you can dictate the lives of others based on what offends you. If something offends you then suddenly nobody is allowed to do it…

Well…

What if hats offend me? Do I have the right to stop the rest of the world from wearing hats just because I happen to find them offensive? Where does this whining ‘he hurt my feelings’ type of attitude stop? Because I haven’t used that phrase since kindergarten when my teacher told me to stop being such a puss and to just ignore the bad kids.

26 years later I would say my kindergarten teacher gave me some pretty solid advice. Since that day I have never once been offended by the words of others. And the kids that used to say bad things to me quickly got bored and stopped when they saw they had no affect on me. Perhaps the rest of the world needs some lessons from my Kindergarten school teacher…

A spastic colon? Is that offensive? Because I have one right now! Does that make me an offensive person? Am I insensitive to say my colon is spastic? God I hope my colon isn't offended because I called it a spaz...

Spaz is on the same level as retard insult wise here is the US. So why don't we demand apologies from every movie producer that has ever produced a movie with that word in it?

Think about that...

http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk_n...75,00.html

The insult Spastic actually derived from 'The Spastic Society'. A bit like Oxfam but for people with Cerebral Palsy.

They rebranded to Scope a few years back primarily because their name had become a common insult.

Oh and Richard 'One Love' take a chill pill and get off your high horse.

GF