Deaf & Dumb?

[JOERM]

I can understand the deaf part but why in holy land did they, who ever they are, call them dumb if they could not speak? I never could figure that out. It is even written in the good Book.

It must be politically incorrect these days but not sure.

Joe

 

[walkinghorse]

"...call them dumb if they could not speak..."

My guess is that it is a generic term from less knowledgable times, like consumption for lung disease or TB etc. and some of the generic terms used for which we now have long scientific terminology.

The person could not talk or express themselves to the norms of the times therefore dumb.

Better to keep your mouth shut and be thought an idiot, than open it and prove it!

 

[ingmansinc]

It seems the correct title is "deaf". Nothing to do with dumb or mute. Read the article below and see what you think.

Deaf and Dumb/deaf mute???? - DeafNotes Forum

 

[JOERM]

I guess so. I have a few friends who are, "Deaf & Dumb". One is a diesel mechanic for metro in Seattle. He puts his hand on the motor to feel if it vibrates or not. This tells him if it is running smooth or not. Unbelievable.

 

[gunner]

Old timey phrase that I have not heard in a long time. My son would qualify as he is legally deaf and non-verbal. Whoever would use that phase around me, my wife or my daughter would not like the response

 

[BigG-n-Tn]

Old timey phrase that I have not heard in a long time. My son would qualify as he is legally deaf and non-verbal. Whoever would use that phase around me, my wife or my daughter would not like the response

I grew up knowing it as deaf and dumb. I never thought about how that would be taken by someone who has a mom, dad, child, etc. that was born that way. I wouldn't think that most people would say it to be harmful either. It's just the way they were taught. So "non-verbal" is the proper term so as not to offend? What about mute? I would rather know than to offend anyone accidentally.

 

[feralmerril]

About 60 years ago my girl cousin, was thought dumb or slow by our family. She was finaly found to be deaf and got the special ed etc. Some in our family felt ashamed I guess! It wasnt reconised as a hearing problem at first.

 

[jeepjeepwhat]

I grew up knowing it as deaf and dumb. I never thought about how that would be taken by someone who has a mom, dad, child, etc. that was born that way. I wouldn't think that most people would say it to be harmful either. It's just the way they were taught. So "non-verbal" is the proper term so as not to offend? What about mute? I would rather know than to offend anyone accidentally.

I would agree completely. I was taught the term for a non-verbal person was dumb. So I would and have used that term, but in no means meant it as a disrespect. I guess it is a pc issue like Indian is a Native American, even though the term may not be used disrespectful the people or person it is describing could still be offended by the term.

 

[35Rem]

I think the definition of "dumb" has changed over the years. It used to be a more clinical term indicating someones condition or state. It has been perverted to a derogatory term.

 

[handejector]

Actually, stupid or moronic is a rather modern colloquial definition of the word "dumb".

The real definition of the word is "lacking the power of speech; mute". Ever heard the phrase "Struck dumb", as in hearing overpowering news?
When I was young, if we said "Joey is dumb", adults would usually correct us with "Do you mean Joey can't speak?"

This is a word I have actually watched evolve in my lifetime.
Look it up.

 

[feralmerril]

How about the saying, "He was dumbfounded"?

 

[westcoast362]

It's just a change in the use of the term. Language is changing all of the time. So, maybe now days mute is a better word.

 

[Bassamatic]

Actually my first crush was on a deaf and dumb lady. It was probably 1957, so I would have been 10. Our neighbor was a navy guy and he was married to the most beautiful woman I had ever seen. I mean I was in love. I'm thinking she was probably around 23, jet black hair and proportioned perfectly. She could not speak and could not hear. But she was amazing at reading lips. In fact, she was working on a book at the time discussing lip reading. Wonder if it ever published?

I used to go over there all the time just to "speak" with her. She was amazing. They moved after a year or so but I often think of her when I see lip reading or signing.

 

[JOERM]

I,ve not seen my deaf and mute friend in 30 years or so, the mechanic guy Earl. But when we were young spuds it was quite a learning experience for me, if that's how to say it. He was quick to write notes so we communicated pretty good although sometimes it was tough. We only saw each other when he would come to the lake to visit his grand parents.

One time I pulled up to their yard in my boat that had a 3.5 horse Sears motor on it. I waved Earl to hop in and after some thinking about it he nervously did. We got about 10 feet from the shore and all of a sudden Earl started going nuts! He waved his arms around like a mad man and started screaming like some gorilla at a zoo. Not making fun of him just trying to say how he sounded. It scared the living daylights out of me and he would not stop screaming. I managed to get the boat close to shore and he all of a sudden hopped out into the water and scrambled to shore. He then ran to the house still screaming.

My only take is that he was never in a boat before nor had he ever been swimming or knew how and just freaked out.

Saw him many years later at a dance hall. We exchanged notes and he was doing fine. That's when I found out he was a diesel mechanic. I kept thinking to myself though how odd it must be for him to see all these guys and girls dancing around and him not hearing a single tune.

Joe

 

[Amy May]

Actually, stupid or moronic is a rather modern colloquial definition of the word "dumb".

The real definition of the word is "lacking the power of speech; mute". Ever heard the phrase "Struck dumb", as in hearing overpowering news?
When I was young, if we said "Joey is dumb", adults would usually correct us with "Do you mean Joey can't speak?"

This is a word I have actually watched evolve in my lifetime.
Look it up.

That's it! Similar to the word "gay". Years ago, you could walk around and say you were gay and people would know you meant you were happy. These days, it gets a different response. Saying dumb IS correct when referring to someone unable to speak.

 

[R-Tex]

Actually, stupid or moronic is a rather modern colloquial definition of the word "dumb".

The real definition of the word is "lacking the power of speech; mute". Ever heard the phrase "Struck dumb", as in hearing overpowering news?
When I was young, if we said "Joey is dumb", adults would usually correct us with "Do you mean Joey can't speak?"

This is a word I have actually watched evolve in my lifetime.
Look it up.

And my bet is that we can all agree that handejector ain't dumb!

 

[BigG-n-Tn]

That's it! Similar to the word "gay". Years ago, you could walk around and say you were gay and people would know you meant you were happy. These days, it gets a different response.

Yep. Making love used to mean holding hands and kissing too. Alot of old phrases or words have new meanings nowadays. Like bad and sick and a long list of others.

 

[JOERM]

That's it! Similar to the word "gay". Years ago, you could walk around and say you were gay and people would know you meant you were happy. These days, it gets a different response. Saying dumb IS correct when referring to someone unable to speak.

Yep, and years ago before "Jogging" was an in thing...when you saw someone running down the road you thought they were running to get help because their house was on fire, someone was hurt or usually they had just robbed a bank or you just thought they were Dumb.