What started “weirdo” as a slur just recently?
I know it’s used toward Trumpist politicians so far. Was the context such that “weirdo” was the only sensible choice?
I feel troubled by this because Keep Austin Weird, Keep Portland Weird, etc., which is normally celebrated. And I’m weird.
Republicans are morons
Republicans are anti-intellectual
Using sophisticated language to critique republicans shows them you're not one of them, and they can write you off as a member of the out-group in their minds
The word weird doesn't trigger the anti-intellectual alarms, so their defenses don't shoot up, and they're left scrambling for a retort, feeling awkward as they are now a member of their own out-group
I don't care about the details. I just want an out-group to hate on.
I don't think it's a slur. That's what makes it funnier. It is a slur TO HIM and his cucks.
Ok so this feels a lot like borrowed/manufactured concern or outrage. Thats why you’re getting downvoted, and I admit it looks like that to me too.
But if your question does happen to be genuine: it’s because it’s one of the most hilariously simple rhetorical shots that anyone has made at the GOP and Trump + Vance. The fact that they’re so bent out of shape and CLEARLY upset by being called “weird” is weird by itself, in the most negative connotation of the word. Not to mention, most people who consider themselves “weird” - including myself - would respond to being weird with something between “hell yeah dude fist bump” and “hell yeah dude. Go fuck yourself”, depending on the context and delivery of the original comment. The fact that they’re SUPER upset about being called weird is the primary fact that’s being made fun of here, as well as the fact that, well, the things they are fixating on, and a ton of their campaign positions, are objectively outright weird. It’s leaning on linguistic subtleties and flexibility to take a shot at fascists and live rent-free in their heads, and to most people, it’s absolutely fucking hilarious that it seems to be working.
Genuine question. I do want to engage in discussing political matters—well, some days, when I’m up for it—but I’m hesitant because I expect to be viewed with some paranoia. I will do my best not to even look at votes. If I snark on headlines for some time, which I would enjoy, maybe enough people will figure out I’m not something bad.
"pejorative" is probably a better word. calling it a "slur" is a bit strong.
but Tim Walz started it when he called JD Vance "weird." It just sorta stuck because, well, he's right.
Tim Walz said that Republicans had become weird and they all got really offended and started doing race science about it, so it works.
That's a super normal reaction though, really proving Walz wrong.
Doing race science is not normal
As an additional point; "weird" isn't a slur. A slur is an expression where the very words themselves are considered obscene - a slur is offensive, even when it is used to describe someone or something according to its strict definition.
There is no context where describing someone as a "removed" or a "retard" isn't offensive. "Weird" isn't like that, as you've pointed out - it's being used as a simple insult, and it's persistent because it seems to really annoy the people it is directed at
Edit: to further my point, one of my examples is so objectionable that it was automatically filtered from my post
exactly! lol "if you trying to compare two words and you wont even SAY one of em... THATS the worse word!"
Good weird = you get called weird, and you’re like, “duh, we’re all weird”
Bad weird = you get called weird, and you respond defensively and have to prove how normal you are to everyone
It's a way to infantilize and ridicule the red team candidates that's really hard for them to dismiss. They want to be perceived as strong, noble, divinely-appointed saviors of the morality of the country. Using 'weird' as an attack takes the wind out of their sails. And the only effective way to counter it is to embrace and transcend it, something the red team is incapable of doing.
From an article in WP
also
I’ve always wished Democratic candidates would be contemptuous when needed. Gutsy. Maybe I’m all wrong, but if for instance Clinton had strongly stood behind having said deplorable.
There's good weird and not-good weird.
People being really fucking weird.
Tim Walz just said it in a speech. He called the behavior of maga and maga cultists weird. And it stuck.
It probably stuck because it's an apt description that they don't like. They have no shame, so trying to actually shame them does not work.. which is also weird. The unapologetical and blatant lying is weird.. the whole world watches these people and most think.. what the fuck...
Before WOKE, they used weird as a term to describe LGBT*, emo and anything else they saw as against their values.
They just looked at other people not like them and said, they're weird right, and they would all agree.
Well now we're calling them weird and backing it up by calling out specific actions they know are wrong. Now they're saying no, no we're not weird at the same time internally going are we weird? They're questioning their values just a little. It won't stick long term or make changes. But they don't have introspection very often.
"Are we the b.. weirdos?".mpg
Are you couch fucker weird?
It's only bad if you're offended by it. Embrace the weird = all good. Spend all your time trying to convince people that you're not weird = super weird.
As I read somewhere recently, there is good weird and bad weird. You know which is which by how the target reacts. Almost all my friends are weird. Good weird. Except for Steve.
Don't worry about it too much. I don't think this current trend will completely overtake the word "weird", but even if it does, you'll still be good-weird, Republicans will still be bad-weird, and people will know the difference, no matter what we call those things.
I dont think it is helpful to see it as a slur. This is more like "use my words against me" and it works, really well. The right wing folks this is messing with identify as being normal, predictable, sensible, strong, etc. Not weird. So when one of them goes to a donut shop and has their internal record get stuck on "OK, good" it looks abnormal, unpredictable, nonsensical, and perhaps even weak. AKA weird, and we can make them uncomfortable with that.
I have a feeling that the political use of it will die out after the election, for what that's worth. And I don't think it will seriously impact the "Keep ______ Weird" trend, because they are celebrating weirdness (whereas the Republicans are trying to claim they're not).
Is there another choice to describe trump? I mean, other than convicted insurrectionist rapist grifter fool?
I've seen people say there's good weird and bad weird, and if you don't mind calling yourself weird it's probably the good kind.
As for calling maga people weird I think it's effective because their whole deal is about vibes. "We're strong, we're smart" and it really bothers them to be perceived otherwise. It's also not something you can "debate". Either people accept it or they don't. What are you going to say "no, I'm not weird"? Sure thing buddy.
When a base of people can talk in circles for hours about why they don't believe in proven facts, they have a hard time defending the fact their cult leaders isn't simply weird as fuck.
The weird window has shifted. Having purple hair and a nose ring used to be "very weird". Now nobody blinks an an eye at that stuff.
But being attracted to your own daughter (and admitting it publicly) and fucking a couch (and admitting it publicly) are still considered very weird.
It was said as a common sense criticism of the Republicans by VP candidate Tim Walz. It serves as a criticism without giving them any intellectual credibility, which is important against fascism. Fascists love when you try to debate them or allow them in the conversation, and calling them weird shuts it down.
The problem is, they are weirdos. You can’t make up stuff like the video of JD Vance in the donut shop. It’s hilarious.
JD is Nathan for You, but without awareness or knowing.
I just recently heard it used that way. To describe "conservatives". Much like "yikes" I guess. They assign a new meaning to it and thus it is so.
Words are different these days. Like, words used to have a secondhand association with reality. But now it's thirdhand.
language evolves with every generation. this isn't new
Language evolves with every generation, yes. But I offered something different from that.
I offered that the relationship between word and thing was becoming more tenuous. Like two telephones drawing further apart. The conversation breaking up.
We talk less about reality now. We talk more about talking.
And how is calling conservatives "weird" how you describe?
Compared to conservatives calling anything left of them "communist", calling a party backing a felon president and a vice president that can't even make small talk at a doughnut store "weird" is very fitting.
Ugh. Too emotional. Too rhetorical.
It's always been a slur to differently abled people. Some grow up and go through life hearing it constantly as a way to shrug them off as disposable or something. It's a way assholes in society treat them like shit.
What's gone on recently is offensive cause there are real people who through life being called that and other names as a way to disregard them. Having to hear how it's been openly used lately isn't great, but people don't get it. They think some things are harmless merely cause it doesn't affect them or someone they care about.