Is this word offensive in the US?

It is not acceptable here.

Reaffirmed when former, at one of his rallys, mocked a reporter who had related mobility issues.

I’ve heard of the word but couldn’t tell you what it means nor could I tell you a time when I’ve heard it actually used. Maybe it’s my age (42)?

Edited to add: google tells me in mean inept. 🤷🏼‍♀️I can’t think of a time someone I knew used it.

It’s not used here (obviously), but I wondered if the Germans will start to feel that their word «spass» will not be okay to use? (It is not a slur in German).

I'm 100% sure it's been used on this board and not in the distant past either

and a quick search tells me I'm right:


The condition is called cerebral palsy, but the medical terminology  for one of the main symptoms is 'spasticity of the limbs'. Which refers to neurological damage that results in muscle tightness, joint stiffness, involuntary jerky movements and unusual posture & gait
Therefore describing someone  as a "spaz or spazz" means you are saying that you think they have neurological damage and have jerky limb movements are un-coordinated etc. Clearly that isn't meant to be a compliment.

It's in the same ball park as retard. Retarded in medical terminology simple means "slowed growth" So when medical people talked about mental retardation as an example, it wasn't a value judgment, it simply used to mean that their mental development was slower than their peers. 
But then the word 'retard' started to be used as an insult by some to mean someone who they thought was of low intelligence. In that same way spazz has become a way to describe someone un-cordinated or running around wildly or who also isn't very smart.

I've been surprised here when it's used unchallenged, often by people who would never use the word retard.
I know I've challenged it in the past and been told that the two words aren't linked...really? All words have origins, where do people think a word like spaz/z is derived from?

I can remember using it as a kid as an insult but it definitely not acceptable these days in the UK. Having said that I have heard a friend of my son-in-law use it in a derogatory way and I was a bit shocked!

It used to be a fairly commonly used expression many years ago. I haven’t heard it used in years.

Thank you for enlightening me. I've never thought about the meaning of the word and haven't heard or seen anyone being called out for using it.

If I've used it, it would have been out of ignorance, not a willful intent to "not care."

Fortunately, the world evolves and when we realize we use words that make others feel bad, we stop using them. We used the R word when I was little, but I am horrified when I hear people use it today (and I do). Even "stupid" is pretty harsh when directed at someone. Ignorance as an excuse can only work so long. I am disturbed that people got so angry at Lizzo who, when hearing what she did and how the word hurt people, changed it. That's what people should do once they're told. Make amends and do better in the future.

We just got back from Myrtle Beach and there is an actual store at Broadway at the Beach that is named “The Stupid Store” which surprised Dh and me. We both commented on how offensive we found the name. 

Then again, in this same shopping area there were multiple stores carrying pro-Trump and anti-Biden shirts and knick knacks, including an incredibly offensive and racist shirt in the front window of one: “Joe and the Ho Gotta Go!” We kept hurrying our boys past those shops. There is a large segment that are proud about offending others - it makes them feel powerful in their ability to stick it to others. 

eta: I don’t use the word spaz and find it offensive (except when I did in reference to Colbert’s dog. My sincere apologies - bad behavior on my part). I know - always knew - where it came from. People did used to use it quite a bit when I was growing up, but I haven’t heard it used much now. I do still hear “retard” and the people who try to be cute when they offend use the shortened “tard.” 

The Lizzo callout was my first realization that the word is problematic. I honestly didn't realize where it came from.

I am making an effort to remove the word from my vocabulary now. I found myself almost saying it last week and was able to pick a different word. When you know better you do better.

I'm 51 and grew up hearing that word sometimes, but not recently. Not for a long time. It's definitely not considered appropriate these days.

Honestly, I was shocked to see that Beyonce and Lizzo both used the term as I thought the word had disappeared from use with 'retard'. Until this recent dust up I had not heard the word 'spazz' used in well over 20 years. I'm 65 so grew up at a time where 'spazz' and 'retard' were regular childhood taunts.

There used to be charity called The Spastic Society in the UK - it changed its name in 1994 to Scope due to the connotations and that's almost 30 years ago!