WatchWord · Ages 10-25 · In use
the r-word
An old medical term for intellectual disability, now a slur used to call someone stupid. Regarded and restarted are deliberate misspellings that dodge filters.
He said that was a regarded take and everyone laughed.
For parents and educators
The misspellings sound like a joke, which is why kids pick them up. They carry the same slur and hurt people with disabilities and their families.
If you’re worried
Talk about the word itself and who it hurts, without shaming. If your child is targeted with it, save the messages and involve the school. Kids Help Phone: 1-800-668-6868 or text 686868.
Where it came from
Faded after campaigns like Spread the Word to End the Word, then came back online in the early 2020s. Regarded spread from a Reddit investing forum.
Also heard as
regarded, restarted, r-slur