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A question on the use of the word "spaz"

Suedey! SHOT FOR MEAT!

19:10 / 03.02.04

I'm working on a comic, and in one of the characters monologues, she uses the word "spaz".

She comes home, a little tipsy, and talking to herself a bit. She then thinks to herself "God, I'm such a spaz sometimes".

Is this offensive? Is the word "spaz" offensive? I feel like I've been thinking about it so much that I don't really know. It just seemed like the right word, to me.

Thoughts?

Baz Auckland

19:17 / 03.02.04

...it can be, I think... it's sort of in the same category as calling someone 'schizo'... not offensive to most people, but still to some?

Suedey! SHOT FOR MEAT!

19:27 / 03.02.04

Is it jarring in the context presented?

I tend not to think of it being a word related to anything else at all, and I would imagine most young people (like the girl I'm writing) would be the same.

It's bugging me now, thoughts appreciated. This is all because my mum says "You know, it's like a... and I don't even feel comfortable saying it... *hushed tones* a word people used to use for black people" while talking to me sternly about this word.

Baz Auckland

19:34 / 03.02.04

Personally, I would read it without even considering that it might be offensive.. you do hear the term quite often...

Suedey! SHOT FOR MEAT!

20:04 / 03.02.04

From dictionary.com

"spaz or spazz
(click to hear the word) (spz) Offensive Slang
n. pl. spazz·es
One who is considered clumsy or inept.

intr.v. spazzed, spazz·ing, spazz·es
To be clumsy or inept.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[Short for spastic, and spasm.]"

It admits it's origins, but it also seems to be a term for something else now. So I say it should be ok to use.

Still interested in opinions on this, though.

40%

20:23 / 03.02.04

I think the question you asked about context is the important one, I'd have to know a little more context than that to know if it was jarring. You probably know that better than anyone.

Some people may pick up on it, others won't. What matter is whether you're comfortable with it, dude.

Bed Head

20:34 / 03.02.04

So: since you asked, I say it’s okay. It’s a little word I choose not to use myself, but I wouldn’t actually throw my drink in the face of someone who used it. And so therefore it’s quite fictitious-character-safe.

But, things like the age of your character, and the time when this story is set, totally seems to affect how offensive this word is. Which is interesting, cause it shows me up as an uptight bid these days. When I was a kid it was a very cruel word.

Suedey! SHOT FOR MEAT!

20:58 / 03.02.04

Yeah, I think it was for my mum too! Although, I'm not saying you're that old... wait, you're not, are you? Arf.

But for a twenty something to think... yeah, it seems like the right word.

I would probably use this word, but only lightly. If that makes sense. It seems strange to think about now, looking at it so, uh, blankly as it were. And it's become apparent to me, that I've always only thought of it as... a certain type of thinking, that no other word quite encapsulates.

I expect I'll refrain from using it for a time, though. I think it's defintely got a somewhat different meaning than it used to.

I'm Rick Jones, bitch

22:01 / 03.02.04

I'm very mildy spastic, and I get offended if non-spastics use it, but if you're writing fiction and it's in character, use it for fucks sake! Fictional characters need not be bound by the rules of PC- they don't exist.

Less searchable M0rd4nt

22:55 / 03.02.04

In my head, "spaz" is something you do, rather than something you are.
I don't like "spaz" as a noun, but like it as a verb, eg as slang for a violent epileptic seziure or whatnot.

As for your character: Why should she care/not care? What words do the people she's around use? Dude, who is she? Never mind what the Gentle Reader thinks, would this person use that word in preference to another? If not, substitute another word with less baggage. If so, use the damn word. She's not your kid, she's your character. Making her sound real is your priority. If you don't like the way she talks/thinks, make a story about how she learns to use different words.

Suedey! SHOT FOR MEAT!

23:30 / 03.02.04

I think it's a word she would use. I know, actually. I'm just worried, that maybe said reader may not have any sympathy, because of the word. Real or not, you know?

I'm only even thinking about this because of how offended my mum got, though.

It's like James says, if you get offended by non-spastics using it IRL, then why wouldn't you be offended by seeing it as a written thought of a fictional character? I don't want her to be offensive!

Having said that, I'm stubborn, and I doubt I'm going to change it. If only so I can tell my mum I was right and annoy her!

w1rebaby

23:42 / 03.02.04

I think you're worrying too much about the reader not liking her. Even if the use of the word offends, characters can be overall sympathetic without being perfect angels. Adds complexity dunnit.

Suedey! SHOT FOR MEAT!

23:48 / 03.02.04

No, she has to be perfect!!

But seriously, this is all because of my mum. It seems to her this is one of the worst possible things to say, ever. If everyone were going to react like that, it would be awful.

But thankfully I think it may just be my mum and my granny.

Bed Head

00:10 / 04.02.04

But seriously, this is all because of my mum

I totally love this. I only want to find an interview with Grant Morrison where he makes the same complaint. Just finish the comic already, Suede! If something really needs to be changed, someone will tell you. You’re an artist, Goddammitt!

Suedey! SHOT FOR MEAT!

00:22 / 04.02.04

A-ha! But my mum told me to change it!

Ok ok. I'm alright! Just you wait until I get interviewed proper. I'm not saying that will actually happen, but if it doesn't, I'll just do it msyself.

You will be amazed by my wit and the influence my mother has on my work. I need to get out of the house.

Bed Head

00:28 / 04.02.04

Oh man, this thread will come back to haunt you when you’re writing X-men. That’s all.

Suedey! SHOT FOR MEAT!

00:50 / 04.02.04

And I should think so too!

Wait, I'm gonna write X-men? My mum doesn't like the X-men.

The Falcon

02:54 / 04.02.04

Mordant - like spasm? Only bigger?

I've heard it used that way; 'spazzing out', iirc, was the phrase.

40%

06:14 / 04.02.04

Look at it this way:

I'm offended by Tarantino's use of the 'n' word in his films. And I have found that sensibility increasing as I get older. I imagine by the time I get to your Mum's age, I'll be a complete linguistic fascist.

But I'll still watch his films in the right situation. And I still recognise him as a member of society who has a right to express himself as he chooses, even if I don't like it.

maybe said reader may not have any sympathy, because of the word.

But like Mordant says, Making her sound real is your priority. If anything, that's what will determine whether the reader sympathises.

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