What does the word "dumb" mean to you?

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   mljdgulley354posted 12 years ago

   As I read in the forums this word comes up quite a bit and makes me question the meaning behind how some hubbers use of this word.

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      CARIBQUEENposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      To me, 'dumb' means ignorance.  Someone who does not really understand what is being said or explained to them.  It is an overused word not really in the correct sense.

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   Dave Mathewsposted 12 years ago

   My way of looking at it is that a person is unable to speak ie they are deaf and dumb.

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      mljdgulley354posted 12 years agoin reply to this

      That is what I learned as to how to use the word dumb. But today it seems to have taken on a different meaning.

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         paxwillposted 12 years agoin reply to this

         According to the Oxford English Dictionary, the "stupid" meaning of dumb has been in use since 1928.

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   Tenerife Islanderposted 12 years ago

   I have two meanings: "stupid" and "unable to speak."

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      mljdgulley354posted 12 years agoin reply to this

      The "stupid" meaning seems to have become more prevalent to the word "dumb"

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   wildernessposted 12 years ago

   It can also be used as a verb nowdays, as in to "dumb it down".
   
   A common usage, although incorrect, is to equate it with ignorance.

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      mljdgulley354posted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Thank you wilderness. To equate the word "dumb" with ignorance is down right "dumb". lol

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         wildernessposted 12 years agoin reply to this

         

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         Website Examinerposted 12 years agoin reply to this

         Isn't that a circular argument?

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            tlpoagueposted 12 years agoin reply to this

            LOL!

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   tlpoagueposted 12 years ago

   That my DUH button is stuck, or I had a brain fart, leaving me unable to respond.

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   mljdgulley354posted 12 years ago

   Some good clarification coming up

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   momsterposted 12 years ago

   Well im new to this and this is good question to ask. In my opinion dumb is repeating the same thing over and over and over and over and over and years later the same behavior is repeated. So you have to ask the question Are you dumb?

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      couturepopcafeposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Or insane?

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   momsterposted 12 years ago

   Really doesnt matter if you say "dumb, stupid, or retarded" it all pretty much falls under the same meaning stupid and retarded have  more extensive meaning and can be offensive to others upon the use of the word. So choose your words wisely and who you say them to, you may get a response that you were not wanting.

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      Website Examinerposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      That advice is an ironic statement, given that these words are often used impulsively as during an argument or out of frustration over another person's behavior. But people who use such words must deal with the consequences.

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   momsterposted 12 years ago

   i do agree with you there.

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      Website Examinerposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Welcome to HubPages.

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    momsterposted 12 years ago

    Thank you

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    WryLiltposted 12 years ago

    It means mute. Unable to talk.

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    AEvansposted 12 years ago

    D:Dabbler
    
    U:Ubiquitous
    
    M:Maddening
    
    B:Brave   

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    tlpoagueposted 12 years ago

    I have been thinking about this lately, because I seen an interesting comment pop up one day. The person claimed to flag low quality comments in a heated debate. Fine, but what would the definition of dumb be if 1) They couldn't come back with a better comment due to the lack of knowlege, or 2)They were placed in a position to be too mute for a reply. Hmm, I think I just gave myself brain damage. Why would someone want to flag another for a comment, when the flagger couldn't come up with a better reply to?

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    Website Examinerposted 12 years ago

    Interesting. It makes me want to add: The discussion tends to focus on the importance of being careful about calling people dumb and the like. But how often do we not think someone is being dumb, stupid etc. - without actually saying anything! Should we not also get credit for our remarkable self-restraint?

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