Is dumb really a bad word?

Answer 1

No, but if someone in a positiion of authority over you says it is, you should probably treat it as one, because not to do so would be, well, dumb.

It originally meant "unable to speak". You'll see references in older works to "dumb brutes", which is a clear case of the older meaning. However, over time it gradually took on the secondary meaning of "unintelligent", so the new preferred term for "unable to speak" became "mute" and "dumb" was relegated to usually being a reference to intelligence or, more specifically, a lack thereof.

Something that you'll notice if you study the history of words that mean things that aren't entirely complimentary is what's called the "euphemism treadmill", and "dumb" is apparently getting dangerously close to becoming a Bad Word and we'll have to start using some other word to mean the same thing, until someone decides that's insulting too (because, really, when it comes right down to it, it doesn't matter what word you use for someone who is of less than average intelligence, it still means someone who is of less than average intelligence and eventually will come to be considered an insult).

Answer 2

"Dumb" is considered a derogatory term when used to describe someone as lacking intelligence. It is more respectful to use alternative language that does not insult or demean individuals based on their intellectual abilities.

Answer 3

yes, if you say "this word" to insult someone