dumb.md

title	slug	flag	defined	excerpt	speech	alt_words	reading
dumb	dumb	text level ableist language avoid	true	non-verbal, non-speaking, silent, refraining from speaking or unable to speak; sometimes __mute__ which can also be ableist; colloquially used to mean unintelligent or senseless	adjective	dumb (noun) dumbfounded (noun) dumbstruck (noun) basic incomprehensible irrational odd redundant ridiculous shallow silly strange weird unfamiliar unfathomable unreasonable unnecessary amazed awed floored nonplussed astonished perplexed shocked stunned	text href Etymonline entry https://www.etymonline.com/word/dumb text href The Case Against Stupid https://ischemgeek.wordpress.com/2014/02/15/the-case-against-stupid/ text href National Association of the Deaf FAQ https://www.nad.org/resources/american-sign-language/community-and-culture-frequently-asked-questions/ text href National Geographic Creation of Sign Language https://www.nationalgeographic.com/history/magazine/2019/05-06/creation-of-sign-language/ text href Quora: Do you know when you are using derogatory ableist language https://www.quora.com/Do-you-know-when-you-are-using-derogatory-ableist-language/answer/Jayden-Brunner text href Stereotypes and Evaluations of People who are D/deaf [PDF, 363KB] https://digitalcommons.unf.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1020&context=honors text href StackExchange "Who first wrote about deafness" https://history.stackexchange.com/questions/7293/who-first-wrote-about-deafness text href Transphobe Tears: Ableist Language https://cishits.tumblr.com/post/79281810833/two-things-1-i-feel-like-ableist-language-is-harder

non-verbal, non-speaking, silent, refraining from speaking or unable to speak; sometimes mute which can also be ableist; colloquially used to mean senseless or a vague filler word

Related Words

• dumbfounded
• dumbstruck

Issues

Dumb initially meant "mute, silent, refraining or unable to speak." Old German thumb carried a dual meaning of "stupid", which eventually took over.

An oft-cited quote by Greek philosopher Aristotle reads, "Men that are deaf are in all cases also dumb.**" Historically the Greeks valued physical prowess (as evidenced by their invention of the Olympic Games) and their language, so anyone who lacked the ability to perform certain physical tasks or conduct reason (verbalise reason, rather) in their language was considered invaluable to society. The historical context is still ever present today, where we devalue disabled bodies and minds.

Using dumb (and its related words like dumbstruck, dumbfounded) reinforces these cultural values.

**Isolation to only "men" also reinforces the historical patriarchical ideas that intersected with these ableist ones.

Impact

Using the word dumb reinforces the idea that Deaf and/or non-speaking/non-verbal people do not have valuable ideas to contribute, and that we only value people based on their idea to generate ideas and goods (see Ableism)

By using ableist language, we are perpetuating violence against people who experience mental or psychological disabilities. Using this language perpetuates those systems and language of harm, regardless of our intent.

Usage Tip

Be more specific. Typically we can find an alternate definition by taking time to reflect on what emotion we're really feeling.