diff --git a/11ty/definitions/gaslighting.md b/11ty/definitions/gaslighting.md index 3c1fd1e9..fa45660c 100644 --- a/11ty/definitions/gaslighting.md +++ b/11ty/definitions/gaslighting.md @@ -14,7 +14,7 @@ reading: href: https://www.aconsciousrethink.com/6766/gaslighting-examples/ --- -psychological manipulation tactic used to abuse by instilling doubt in the victim's own thoughts, observations, feelings by denying, misdirecting, and lying to them; originated from the Gaslight play (1933) and film (1944), where a man changes the lights in the house, while denying her observations of the changes. +psychological manipulation tactic used to abuse by instilling doubt in the victim's own thoughts, observations, feelings by denying, misdirecting, and lying to them; originated from the *Gaslight* play (1933) and film (1944), where a man changes the lights in the house, while denying her observations of the changes. ## Impact diff --git a/11ty/definitions/idiot.md b/11ty/definitions/idiot.md index d31719f9..790cfd44 100644 --- a/11ty/definitions/idiot.md +++ b/11ty/definitions/idiot.md @@ -1,8 +1,24 @@ --- title: Idiot slug: idiot -defined: false +defined: true +speech: noun +exerpt: previously a psychiatric term for someone with a profound intellectual disability; typically used as a generic exclamation of frustration at the actions of another person flag: level: avoid text: 'Ableist language' +reading: + - text: 'The Clinical History of "Moron," "Idiot," and Imbecile' + href: https://www.merriam-webster.com/words-at-play/moron-idiot-imbecile-offensive-history --- +Since medieval times, the word "idiot" was used to describe an ignorant person, and from the 14th century specifically someone with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD). + +In the early 20th century, the term was adopted by the legal and psychiatric communities to refer to an intellectual disability resulting in function equivalent to a neurotypical two-year old according to contemporary intelligence scales. Like those intelligence measurement systems, the term itself has been replaced in technical settings by more specific medical language. + +## Issues + +In modern times, "idiot" is rarely used to describe someone with an ID/D, but rather someone who is acting in a manner the speaker finds thoughtless or selfish. Nevertheless, ableist language perpetuates entrenched, dehumanising attitudes toward people with intellectual disabilities. + +## Alternatives + +Since "idiot" is frequently an exclamation of frustration, use a term that describes the frustrating *action* rather than suggesting an ID/D suffered by the *actor*: "I hated it when that driver cut me off in traffic." \ No newline at end of file diff --git a/11ty/definitions/metis.md b/11ty/definitions/metis.md index 12df91d9..11ac92c8 100644 --- a/11ty/definitions/metis.md +++ b/11ty/definitions/metis.md @@ -5,4 +5,4 @@ speech: noun defined: true --- -A distinct Indigenous culture originating from the children of intermarriages between First Nationspersons and European Settlers (most often French). The homeland of the Métis is considered the Canadian Prairies with the Red River Settlement being the most well known. +A distinct Indigenous culture originating from the children of intermarriages between First Nations persons and European settlers (most often French). The homeland of the Métis is considered the Canadian Prairies with the Red River Settlement being the most well known.