The word “retarded” has evolved significantly over time, and its history is reflective of changing societal attitudes towards intellectual disabilities and the use of language in general.

Early Origins:

The word “retarded” comes from the Latin term retardare, meaning “to delay” or “to slow down.” In the 19th century, it was adopted into the English language with a neutral connotation. It was used to describe something being delayed or slowed down, such as in music (“ritardando”) or other technical contexts.

Early 20th Century: Medical and Clinical Usage

In the early 1900s, “retarded” became a medical term used to describe individuals with intellectual disabilities. Terms like “mental retardation” and “mentally retarded” were common in clinical and educational settings. The word was intended to be a neutral, descriptive term to categorize individuals based on their intellectual capabilities, especially those considered to have an IQ below a certain threshold.

For much of the 20th century, it was considered a formal, non-derogatory term used by professionals in medicine, psychology, and education. For example, the American Association on Mental Retardation (AAMR), founded in 1876, used the term in its name and publications for many decades.

Mid-20th Century: Shift in Usage

By the mid-20th century, however, “retarded” began to take on more negative connotations. It started being used in casual, colloquial speech as an insult to suggest someone was unintelligent or slow, even when not related to intellectual disabilities. The word became associated with teasing, bullying, and stigmatization, leading to a shift in how society viewed the term.

Late 20th Century: Growing Sensitivity

As the word “retarded” increasingly became associated with derogatory usage, advocacy groups, professionals, and educators began to call for more respectful terminology. By the late 20th century, terms like “intellectual disability” and “developmental delay” began to replace “mental retardation” in official contexts.

In 1973, the American Association on Mental Deficiency (AAMD) renamed itself the American Association on Mental Retardation (AAMR) but would later change its name again in 2007 to the American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (AAIDD) to avoid the now-problematic term “retardation.”

21st Century: Phasing Out

The word “retarded” has been almost completely phased out in medical, educational, and legal contexts, due to its offensive and derogatory use in popular culture. A significant turning point was in 2010, when U.S. President Barack Obama signed “Rosa’s Law,” which replaced the term “mental retardation” with “intellectual disability” in federal law.

Advocacy groups have launched campaigns, such as the “Spread the Word to End the Word” campaign, to raise awareness of the harmful effects of using “retarded” as an insult and to promote more respectful language.

Current Usage:

Today, “retarded” is widely considered an outdated and offensive term. The preferred language in professional and everyday conversation is now “intellectual disability” or “developmental disability.” The casual use of “retarded” as an insult is often viewed as deeply inappropriate and harmful, especially to individuals with disabilities and their families.

Summary of the Evolution:

• 19th Century: Used in general language to mean “delayed” or “slowed down.”

• Early 20th Century: Adopted as a medical term to describe intellectual disabilities, considered neutral at the time.

• Mid-20th Century: Gained negative connotations through casual use as an insult.

• Late 20th Century: Increasing calls for more respectful language; the term began to be replaced by alternatives like “intellectual disability.”

• 21st Century: Phased out of official usage and widely regarded as offensive. Campaigns advocate for the cessation of its use as an insult.

This shift reflects broader cultural changes around the understanding of intellectual disabilities and sensitivity toward language that can perpetuate stigma and harm.