Ubiquitin (various points):
Why when learning Kesubas can I say “Me’anes” but not the English equivalant. We a a society have arbitrary decided that in polite-yeshivish society we don’t use the English equivalent. [sic, sic, etc…]
It’s not arbitrary. The English term is a specific [X]ual reference, while the Hebrew is not. There is no “Hebrew word for rape.” The literal translation of l’anes
is “to force.” In context, the reference is obviously to rape.
A different dictionary definition of “retard” is being used when not talking about people. There is no room for offense there.
The Latin term for the color black, “niger,” is not pronounced the same way as the derogatory term used for black people. The “i” is pronounced like “eye.” Nobody would be offended at its use (unless, of course, they thought you were trying to stealthily make a negative reference to them).
“Offensive intent”: Does that mean intent to offend,
or an intent which causes offense?
Using it as an adjective is only the latter, while using it as an insult [offense at insult] or deliberately to offend a person who will hear it (knowing they find it offensive) [offense at use] is both (e.g., what popa is doing in this thread at times).
as a synonym for “idiotic.”
That is the practical effect though. Well, maybe not exactly the same… Of course, the point is not whether it is technically correct, but whether it’s right to use.