Is "duh" offensive?

[isabel]

Was looking at this post on Instagram:

http://instagr.am/p/B2kOG8LgHge

And noticed this comment:

Respectfully, and assuming no ill intent, would you consider avoiding using “duh” as a punchline or a way to indicate that something should be easy to understand? “Duh” relies on stereotypes that people whose speech is unclear because of deafness or because of low facial tone must also have a hard time understanding simple things. I believe that you are the type of person who does better when they know better, and I hope you will think about shifting your language. Much love and respect.

Is this accurate? I have never heard this before.

[juliej]

I've never seen or heard anything relating it to stereotypes of deafness, but that means very little.

Some etymology: english.stackexchange.com/questions/35188/origin-of-the-word-duh

[katfco]

It originally wasn't used to refer to deafness, but to low intelligence, so I would say yes, it's kind of intended to be somewhat offensive. It's been grafted into our language in the last 50-60 years to mean something that's relatively obvious--i.e. something that should be obvious if one were of typical intelligence.

[livinitup]

This would be the first time “duh” is referenced as an offensive term for me.

Other than being language designed to be a bit dismissive and condescending, with a bit of levity. Which is sometimes what you want to express.

[goldengirlz]

I had never heard that before either but I buy it, just thinking of the expression people make when they say it.

I would not care one bit if it were retired from the English language. I can’t even remember the last time I heard or used it.

[seeyalater52]

Sept 18, 2019 17:41:03 GMT -5 katfco said:

It originally wasn't used to refer to deafness, but to low intelligence, so I would say yes, it's kind of intended to be somewhat offensive. It's been grafted into our language in the last 50-60 years to mean something that's relatively obvious--i.e. something that should be obvious if one were of typical intelligence.

I agree with this. It is also often said in an exaggerated voice/tone (or facial expressions and hand gestures) that is meant to imply intellectual and/or physical disabilities. I don’t consider it appropriate to use anymore and I think there are better ways to express the same point without being inadvertently ableist.

[joy]

Michelle Tanner is going to need a new tagline.

[msmerymac]

Also, on a related note I guess, idiot, imbecile, and moron were once used in a psychological classification system referring to a specific range of mental abilities. My mom would never let me use them as a kid because of her previous work in special education.

[seeyalater52]

Sept 18, 2019 19:19:17 GMT -5 msmerymac said:

Also, on a related note I guess, idiot, imbecile, and moron were once used in a psychological classification system referring to a specific range of mental abilities. My mom would never let me use them as a kid because of her previous work in special education.

I dont use these either (I guess the lesson from this thread is that I’m super extra!) Not that I literally don’t ever say them (I try not to but don’t always succeed), but I never would in an official or professional capacity or anything public.

[AAM2012]

Sept 18, 2019 19:04:35 GMT -5 joy said:

Michelle Tanner is going to need a new tagline.

Don’t forget about Clueless!

[underwaterrhymes]

I don’t like the phrase, think that it’s often used in an insensitive manner, and don’t use it myself.

[joy]

Sept 18, 2019 19:38:42 GMT -5 AAM2012 said:

Sept 18, 2019 19:04:35 GMT -5 joy said:

Michelle Tanner is going to need a new tagline.

Don’t forget about Clueless!

As if!

[isabel]

I’m not even sure I say duh, but noting to myself to strike it from my vocabulary. I’d never heard that interpretation of the word before! Glad I noticed that comment.

[AAM2012]

I feel like there are (sooo many) other words or phrases that are way more offensive such as “deerrrrrrr” or others that I won’t type. I never thought “duh” was offensive because of the movie Clueless which made it a very mainstream word back in the day (aging myself?). I feel like this is making something out of nothing...

I don’t use either of these words, but if I saw a post or heard someone say “duh” I wouldn’t be offended.

[klingklang77]

I use some words in this thread (mainly idiot and duh), but I use them to refer to myself and not to other people. For example, I was in the shop the other day and I couldn’t find something (happens a lot to me), so I asked an employee where it was. It was right in front of my face. I said ‘duh’. If I make a stupid mistake I say to myself, I’m such an idiot, what a stupid mistake. 

I can see how it is offensive. I guess I’ll be more aware of what I say. 

[vamoose]

Sept 18, 2019 21:34:11 GMT -5 AAM2012 said:

I feel like there are (sooo many) other words or phrases that are way more offensive such as “deerrrrrrr” or others that I won’t type. I never thought “duh” was offensive because of the movie Clueless which made it a very mainstream word back in the day (aging myself?). I feel like this is making something out of nothing...

I don’t use either of these words, but if I saw a post or heard someone say “duh” I wouldn’t be offended.

Do you have an intellectual disability or low facial tone that “duh” is mocking? If not, then I don’t think you get to decide it’s not offensive. Older movies use all sorts of problematic words.

[seeyalater52]

Sept 19, 2019 6:13:14 GMT -5 vamoose said:

Sept 18, 2019 21:34:11 GMT -5 AAM2012 said:

I feel like there are (sooo many) other words or phrases that are way more offensive such as “deerrrrrrr” or others that I won’t type. I never thought “duh” was offensive because of the movie Clueless which made it a very mainstream word back in the day (aging myself?). I feel like this is making something out of nothing...

I don’t use either of these words, but if I saw a post or heard someone say “duh” I wouldn’t be offended.

Do you have an intellectual disability or low facial tone that “duh” is mocking? If not, then I don’t think you get to decide it’s not offensive. Older movies use all sorts of problematic words.

Yeah, the above reads to me a lot like white people who insist that POC should not be offended by any number of “mainstream” words and phrases that are racist and claim that people who speak up about it are making something out of nothing.

Note that I am not trying to draw any false equivalancies between racism and ableism, just attempting to illustrate that we would almost universally find a similar statement about a different axis of oppression problematic.

[winecat]

Sept 18, 2019 20:29:47 GMT -5 isabel said:

I’m not even sure I say duh, but noting to myself to strike it from my vocabulary. I’d never heard that interpretation of the word before! Glad I noticed that comment.

I know I've used it in the past because I grew up in the 80s.  It's definitely possible I've used it recently as well.  I know I've used idiot and moron regularly.  I didn't realize the origins of the words until msmerymac posted.  I've used them at work so not in regular conversation but still... 

[CrazyLucky]

When DS uses duh, he is being offensive and rude. I rarely say duh anymore and when I do I admonish myself. Maybe I should get a sweat are and include duh, lol. When I hear someone say duh, it feels like they are saying, "This is very obvious and if you don't know it, you are dumb."

[AAM2012]

Sept 19, 2019 6:13:14 GMT -5 vamoose said:

Sept 18, 2019 21:34:11 GMT -5 AAM2012 said:

I feel like there are (sooo many) other words or phrases that are way more offensive such as “deerrrrrrr” or others that I won’t type. I never thought “duh” was offensive because of the movie Clueless which made it a very mainstream word back in the day (aging myself?). I feel like this is making something out of nothing...

I don’t use either of these words, but if I saw a post or heard someone say “duh” I wouldn’t be offended.

Do you have an intellectual disability or low facial tone that “duh” is mocking? If not, then I don’t think you get to decide it’s not offensive. Older movies use all sorts of problematic words.

You are correct, my apologies.

[foundmylazybum]

It's a put down. It's entire intent is to be offensive, so yes.

[cville]

Sept 18, 2019 19:01:36 GMT -5 seeyalater52 said:

Sept 18, 2019 17:41:03 GMT -5 katfco said:

It originally wasn't used to refer to deafness, but to low intelligence, so I would say yes, it's kind of intended to be somewhat offensive. It's been grafted into our language in the last 50-60 years to mean something that's relatively obvious--i.e. something that should be obvious if one were of typical intelligence.

I agree with this. It is also often said in an exaggerated voice/tone (or facial expressions and hand gestures) that is meant to imply intellectual and/or physical disabilities. I don’t consider it appropriate to use anymore and I think there are better ways to express the same point without being inadvertently ableist.

Huh. Never thought about it this way. I'll keep this in mind going forward.

[yogapants]

I sometimes use "duh" toward myself, like if I'm confused about something and then realize what I was missing. I'll work on changing that.

Pretty much any time someone directs it toward another person, even if you ignore its problematic etymology, it's condescending at best. I'm not at all a fan of the word in that context.

[bronxgirl]

Bernie Sanders just said it last night to Chris Hayes. Another reason Bernie needs to go away.

[Chuppathingy]

I honestly just thought that it was a really annoying word my child learned from watching My Little Pony. I figured it implied thinks the listener is stupid or clueless from context though.

[lilles]

The song Bad Guy by Billie Eilish says duh, it’s a pretty popular song so I’m guessing all the kids will be saying it

I'm that bad type
Make your mama sad type
Make your girlfriend mad tight
Might seduce your dad type
I'm the bad guy, duh
I'm the bad guy, duh

[AJL]

When it comes to words that are offensive, I err on the side of the offended. I don't get to decide what is offensive to someone. "Duh" is at the very least impolite. Is it a necessary word to convey emotion? No. There are so many other words to use in its place in this case.

Levar Burton could have said any of the following:

1 is a book (naturally)
1 is a book (obviously)
1 is a book (clearly)
1 is a book (unsurprisingly)