Retard is an actual word but having several meanings. It always depend on the context...If I working in a mine and I ask my employee to retard the explosion... Limiting the words you should use seems to look like 1984 to me. Just watch out which words you use depending of the context and you will be fine.

Of course it's okay to use that word or any word you want..it is your right. However if you are a thinking person you should know what the exercise of that right may mean ref to a societal or legal response. If you are prepared to face the repercussions and intelligently argue your point in response all power to you. In this age when the acceptability of speech, history, changes day to day I find it better to have a strong set of core values and beliefs that remain constant.

It's just a word. Example "The exorbitant cost of tools would severely retard my ability to open a garage and go into business." What's wrong with that? Nothing. However if you said this: " Don't pay any attention to Billy, he's a retard!" Well, that would be a bad way to use it.

Its annoying having the final option in regarding "Bucko" because that meanst that the vast majority of votes aren't serious and this should be a serious topic.

The term "retarded" directly at a person is a poor insult. Come up with better.

Saying an idea or an action is retarded, ok, if it really is.

I have a bit of a hard time with this one as I am the legal guardian of my brother-in-law who is mentally retarded (IQ 50, mental age 10ish) but I've heard him call things stupid, so there's that...

While I don't find it in my vocabulary, I do understand free speech and won't stop you from it, but I might call you on it anyway. Now you know why.

It is a bad word in the sense that it means stupid or mentally challenged - so it is cruel to those who are. And this word went out about 30 years ago and for some reason making a comeback.

It is far too useful an imprecation to surrender. It occupies that vast intellectual space between ignorant irrationality and mental deficiency that both the left and the extreme lunatic right hold in common.

Who is it directed at ?