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Word to replace "weird" when used in a positive context (lemmy.ml)

submitted 3 months ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

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Now that it seems decided that the word "weird" should be used in a derogatory way against sociopathic narcissists in politics, I have to be careful about how i use this word.

In the recent years, I usually used it to describe someone or something that was different in an interesting and charming way. I am neurodivergent in a way that is easily hidden (not that I make coucious efforts to hide it), I would often describe myself as just "slightly weird". I no longer want to use this word to describe myself anymore because of the above mentioned reasons.

In old literature, I've seen the word queer used as such, but today it doesn't really carry that meaning anymore. Although I wouldn't really mind if it confused people about my gender, I don't really worry about that. 😁

Any other suggestions ro help describe myself that wouldn't put the focus of the discussion on neurotypes?

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[–] [email protected] 10 points 3 months ago (1 children)

Quirky is definitely the best fit, if you are worried about an ambiguous context using a descriptor.

Still, don't discard weird as a word altogether like a slur so quickly. "Keep Portland Weird", "Weird Al Yankovic", still describes stuff that are a little unusual but cool to be around, and the fact that this word comes up in the context of US politics shouldn't remove one of the word's many meanings.

A guy at a bar who always shows up with round sunglasses and a tie dye shirt, ordering a glass of milk is the cool kind of weird. A guy who spends all their time talking about themselves are the annoying antisocial kind of weird. Someone who sits next to a washroom staring at the ass of every person going in and out of it is the creep kind of weird.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 3 months ago

I was just thinking about "quirky" because my sister-in-law recently used it to describe her daughter. Her contrasting word (for her son) was "straightforward."

Personally, I fit the former even though I've learned to "pass for normal." NOT my words. That was a direct quote and it was meant as a compliment. Weird is definitely meant as an insult in the US Midwest.