How did the word retard become common?

Answer 1

A professor taught me that the word retarded was initially applied to Italian immigrant children in New York City because they were a year behind, or "slowed down" (aka retarded) a year in school because of their poor language acquisition.

Answer 2

It depends on how this word is used. If you are referring to an individual, it would be an inappropriate word to use.

However, if you mean: to make slow, delay the progress of (Sentence: Bad roads retard the movement of cars), then this word would be considered appropriately applied.

Answer 3

c. 1426, "fact or action of making slower in movement or time," from L. retardationem, from retardare "to make slow, delay, keep back, hinder," from re-, intensive prefix, + tardare "to slow" (see tardy). Retarded "mentally slow" first recorded 1895. Retard (v.) first recorded 1489, from O.Fr. retarder (13c.); offensive noun meaning "stupid person" (with accent on first syllable) is from 1960s slang.

Answer 4

disabled or handicapped.

to be slow

to delay the development or progress of someone or delay in the act of someone doing something or an action.