Jessica PingWord of the Week – “Spaz” or “Spastic”
In this blog post, I will do a close examination of the word, “spaz” and explain why you should avoid using this word in your everyday language.
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Introduction To The Ableist Language Series:
Ableist language perpetuates the inferiority of people with disabilities. At its core, it is oppressive, derogatory, and hurtful, no matter the intention behind its usage.
I guarantee that you use ableist language every single day without even realizing it. It rolls off the tongue naturally because it’s hardly ever questioned.
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Here on The Rolling Explorer, I am going to start questioning it.
As an advocate for disability rights, I was appalled when I realized how common ableist language was in my own vocabulary. Of course, like many of you, I was uneducated and unaware of the implications behind my word choice. Our systemically ableist society has allowed these words and phrases to grow in popularity for too long. It’s time for a change.
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On this blog, I will be sharing articles that highlight one of the words from the downloadable glossary above. These posts will provide definitions, explanations, as well as alternative words and phrases to use in place of the one being examined.
Today’s word is “spaz.” Keep reading to learn why this word is inherently ableist and discover alternatives you can begin to use in its place.
Definition of “Spaz”
UK
- an offensive way of saying “a stupid person”
- (short for “spastic”) an offensive way of referring to someone who has cerebral palsy (a condition of the body that makes it difficult to control the muscles)
- an incompetent person
US
- one who is inept
noun
- an awkward or clumsy person.
verb (used without object), spazzed, spaz·zing.
- to move in an awkward or clumsy way (usually followed by out)
- to become more angry than a situation warrants (usually followed by out)
- to twitch
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Why Is “spaz” Ableist
Originating from “spasticus” in Latin and “spastikos” in Greek literally meaning, spasms, “spaz” has been around for centuries. Up until the mid-1900s, the term was mostly only used in the medical sphere to describe people with spastic paralysis (like Cerebral Palsy – CP). It’s unclear when “spaz” entered into mainstream media, but there are references to it as early as the 1950s in the US.
It was at this point that “spastic” shortened into the slur we know all too well today, “spaz.” Commonly used to reference someone’s poor mobility, wild behavior, or lack of intelligence on a certain subject, the term quickly transitioned away from a word of description into one of judgment and derogation; one that is still commonly used to taunt, mock, and discriminate against disabled people.
In the UK and most commonwealth countries, “spaz” is widely labeled as a slur by both disabled and non-disabled people alike. But in the US it is still used regularly and casually in everyday conversations.
Regardless of whether you’re using the word “spaz” to describe a disabled or non-disabled person, it is still an ableist term because of its literal and cultural history.
Alternative words to “spaz”
- Amateur
- Klutz
- Clumsy
- Unskilled
- Awkward
- Inadequate
- Inept
- Incompetent
- Lacking
- Inferior
- Pathetic
- Unfit
- Unqualified
- Unprofessional
- Nervous
- Blunderer
- Fumbler
- Wild
- Lost Control
- Wigged out
- Frenzied
- Berserk
- Flipped Out
- Beside Oneself
- Foolish
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