The word "spastic"

Just a heads-up... many British people see the word "spastic" as having the same relationship to people suffering from cerebral palsy as the N-word does to black people or the K-word does to Jews. Likewise saying "spaz it up" for "mess it up" etc. I know that across the Atlantic it is not regarded as a conversational "bomb" so beware! I thought of this because of an item in Radio 4's The Now Show which mentioned the fact that Hasbro has brought out a new Transformer toy called... Spastic. This brought gasps from the studio audience. The Transformer fan site Seibertron.com contacted Hasbro when it discovered that the word spastic "has different meanings depending on your regional location". The company replied:

"Thank you for bringing this matter to our attention and for the opportunity to respond. The TRANSFORMERS brand intended no offense by use of the name "SPASTIC" for one of its products which has not and will not be available via traditional retail channels in Europe, including the UK. Thank you once again for notifying us about your concern. As a marketer of children’s products, input from parents, families and fans regarding their experiences with our brands is extremely important to us. Our goal is to have all families who enjoy our brands feel good about their purchases and experiences."

Oh rats! Thanks for the heads up...

To the people I know in the UK, the word "spastic" has the same meaning that it does in the US, and in both places; it is an offensive term.

It is certainly offensive in the US; although not as bad as n*gger, for historical reasons. It is used as an insult. I'm surprised that Hasbro didn't realise this.

I don't agree, sweetpeach. I never heard spastic as a synonym for cerebral palsy or disability until moving here. In the US I've always heard it as referring to people, especially kids, who are really hyper- the ADHD kids bouncing around the playground were 'spazzes'. It could also mean someone who was extremely geeky. It was mildly derogatory, but not any more than geek, nerd, weirdo, etc. Here it was the official name of the cerebral palsy charity and has a definitely disability connotation, like the word idiot. 

I don't agree, sweetpeach. I never heard spastic as a synonym for cerebral palsy or disability until moving here. In the US I've always heard it as referring to people, especially kids, who are really hyper- the ADHD kids bouncing around the playground were 'spazzes'. It could also mean someone who was extremely geeky. It was mildly derogatory, but not any more than geek, nerd, weirdo, etc. Here it was the official name of the cerebral palsy charity and has a definitely disability connotation, like the word idiot. 

I agree with this 100%. I used to refer to myself as a "spaz" in the states, using this definition. When I started visiting here, my now DH informed me of the meaning and I stopped using the word pretty quick...

'Spaz' wasn't a term used to describe a person with a disability where I'm from in the US either. Just a word we used to use to describe a brain fart or a really hyper mood. I didn't find out until until my DH told me what it meant here.

Yes, I'm sorry, but I have to disagree with sweetpeach.  Spaz was just a word to describe someone who was a bit out-of-control.  It certainly was not a highly offensive term, or even a mildly offensive term.  It was always used in a slightly affectionate way, almost like calling someone a 'ditz' (okay now I'm doing to be told ditzism is an actual condition.  I won't be surprised at this point!) 

And it's lightyears away from being on the same offense plane as the N-word. 

(these observations were made from growing up in Washington, DC.  Your mileage may vary, of course.)

And it's lightyears away from being on the same offense plane as the N-word. 

My point was, in the UK it's very close to being as offensive as the N-word.

I always coined it as if you were calling someone a idiot, but a lot more offensive. You would think the guys down at transformers would have used wiki before naming their new toy.

It's along the same lines as the word "faggot" was about a generation ago.  To me, that word is as jarring as I am sure "spaz" or "spastic" is to people with a British upbringing.

That said, I personally don't use the term "spastic" any more (not that I really used it much before immigrating) even to Americans.  It's not that big of a deal for me to drop it, but I also understand that there is a cultural difference in the meaning of the term.  Hasboro obviously didn't meant to use it in the British sense, just like I don't think Mr Brains meant the derogatory meaning behind their "faggots".  

That said, it is one of those things like knowing the difference between fanny and that "bloody" isn't a cute, mild swear word.  It's required knowledge for people wanting to get along here without offending people, just as British people probably shouldn't refer to meatballs or cigarettes as "fags" or "faggots" in the States.  However, we've as much right to have understanding when it's used in our own country as Brits use terms in their country that might be offensive to our ear, but had a different intention due to the difference in dialect.

I always coined it as if you were calling someone a idiot, but a lot more offensive. You would think the guys down at transformers would have used wiki before naming their new toy.

Before Tremula said anything, I wouldn't have thought that it was a bad thing in the UK. If I were at Transformers, I wouldn't have thought about the possibility of 'spastic' being a bad word else where. Unless you know already, the thought probably wouldn't have crossed your mind.

Unless you know already, the thought probably wouldn't have crossed your mind.

Hence my use of "heads-up"

My point was, in the UK it's very close to being as offensive as the N-word.

I don't think it is necessarily. I used to go the Spastic Charity Shop quite often in Wales. It has never been renamed and it's a lovely place, all for a good cause.

The term "spaz" was very common when I was growing up. I'm pretty sure I was peripherally aware that it was connected to the description of a person with a motor condition. "Spastic" was not really used but I would have known what it meant had I heard it.

Both of these  terms, as well as "idiot", were always used colloquially even though there would be, as now, a lot of room for offense. I've never had the feeling that the level of offense would be higher here than in the US. All of these terms can certainly create an air of privilege, but none more than another and, I think, none more or less in the US than the UK.

It is an offensive term where I come from in the States. Perhaps it is a generational thing, I'm in my mid-40s.