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What's an equivalent replacement for the word "lame"? (beehaw.org)

submitted 1 year ago by FlickOfTheBean@beehaw.org to c/chat@beehaw.org

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I don't know if I'm just becoming overly sensitive to my own language or if this is an actual issue, so feel free to let me know if it seems that I just need to grow thicker skin, but still.

I keep getting this uneasy feeling whenever I use the word "lame" and I think it's because I'm starting to realize it's technically ableist. However, there's no single non-profane word that I know of that fits the niche that I use it in.

For example, I wrote out something earlier about a behavior I do that I don't like that I do because I think it's kind of shitty behavior, but it's overall harmless. I use lame to describe it casually. I could also call it kind of shitty, as I did before, but not to audiences that I don't want to use profanity around.

Anyone know of a word I can replace "lame" with?

I'd say maybe weak, but that's got its own baggage that I'm not sure I'm ok with switching to. Annoying is too strong of a word for what I'm going for. Maybe lame is a short word for "this makes me feel slightly sad"?

Idk, so I open it up to the public: Is this even an issue or am I being too sensitive? Could this be solved in a single replacement word or do I need a whole ass phrase to express this?

(page 2) 30 comments

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[–] YourHeroes4Ghosts@beehaw.org 2 points 1 year ago (1 children)

I'm really pleased to see people thinking about ableism and ableist language. It's so easy to just say what you've always said without thought and I appreciate anyone who stops to think about it.

"Duh" is the word I'm personally trying to remove from my vocabulary. As I have ADHD and am forever losing or misplacing things, it pops out of my mouth automatically far too often. I only began thinking about it recently, and as I have a couple of neurology-based disabilities it really is not ideal for me to say something that's insulting to people who are like me- by saying it, I'm putting myself down (internalised ableism) too!

"Lame" is tough because it replaces a whole lot of words. I do understand how difficult it is to replace it. I liked the suggestion of "bogus" (but didn't want to hijack that person's comment).

[–] reric88@beehaw.org 1 points 1 year ago

Wow bogus was the first thing I thought of before entering the thread lol

[–] furrowsofar@beehaw.org 2 points 1 year ago

My problem with lame is that it tends to be a way to cut people down including youself. Pretty much comments involving lame tend to come out as pretty lame most of the time.

Generally be easy on people and hard on problems. Better to be more specific or accurate or say nothing at all.

As for you, stop cutting youself down with value judgements. Instead just say to youself ... an opportunity for improvement. And be more specific about your concrete action plan.

By the way, the word "weak" has the same issues.

[–] CurlyWurlies4All@slrpnk.net 2 points 1 year ago

Cheugy

[–] Nemo@midwest.social 1 points 1 year ago

It's a real issue. I think the kids say "downbad" though that's a little more emphatic. "Square" might work if you're willing to go old-school. "Disappointing", "suboptimal", "lousy" all work in certain contexts.

[–] bermuda@beehaw.org 1 points 1 year ago

Banal

[–] sirico@feddit.uk 1 points 1 year ago

Dead

[–] ArtZuron@beehaw.org 1 points 1 year ago (5 children)

Moron, imbecile, and dullard came out of eugenics IIRC. Does "lame" have that origin too?

I've heard it used to refer to injured or weakened legs, as well as the creature they're attached to. As in, "the cow was lame because of its injured hoof." I've heard it used to refer to something that is boring or disappointing. "That movie was lame." or "That was lame."

I wouldn't doubt that there is some negative connotation for it though. Terrible people tend to take innocuous words and twist them to suit their schemes.

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