the word retard is a very hurtful word. even if your using it in a joking manner it is still hurtful to the person your saying it to & maybe others as well. for example Ellen Seidman would be one of those other people who gets offended when she hears someone call another person that word. she is against the word because her son has a learning disability so does that make him a "retard." i think people should just stop using the word at all, just imagine being in someone shoes who has problems with work or just moves slower...im sure you wouldn't want to be called retarded so why call someone else that.