I know it’s used toward Trumpist politicians so far. Was the context such that “weirdo” was the only sensible choice?
I feel troubled by this because Keep Austin Weird, Keep Portland Weird, etc., which is normally celebrated. And I’m weird.
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Good weird = you get called weird, and you’re like, “duh, we’re all weird”
Bad weird = you get called weird, and you respond defensively and have to prove how normal you are to everyone
Tim Walz said that Republicans had become weird and they all got really offended and started doing race science about it, so it works.
That’s a super normal reaction though, really proving Walz wrong.
Doing race science is not normal
“pejorative” is probably a better word. calling it a “slur” is a bit strong.
but Tim Walz started it when he called JD Vance “weird.” It just sorta stuck because, well, he’s right.
It’s only bad if you’re offended by it. Embrace the weird = all good. Spend all your time trying to convince people that you’re not weird = super weird.
I don’t think it’s a slur. That’s what makes it funnier. It is a slur TO HIM and his cucks.
I’ve seen people say there’s good weird and bad weird, and if you don’t mind calling yourself weird it’s probably the good kind.
As for calling maga people weird I think it’s effective because their whole deal is about vibes. “We’re strong, we’re smart” and it really bothers them to be perceived otherwise. It’s also not something you can “debate”. Either people accept it or they don’t. What are you going to say “no, I’m not weird”? Sure thing buddy.
And if a self-proclaimed “alpha male” elicits a reaction of fear or anger that confirms their self-image. But being called weird, or laughed at like the clowns they are, undermines their whole act.
“What a weird thing to say.”
Ok so this feels a lot like borrowed/manufactured concern or outrage. Thats why you’re getting downvoted, and I admit it looks like that to me too.
But if your question does happen to be genuine: it’s because it’s one of the most hilariously simple rhetorical shots that anyone has made at the GOP and Trump + Vance. The fact that they’re so bent out of shape and CLEARLY upset by being called “weird” is weird by itself, in the most negative connotation of the word. Not to mention, most people who consider themselves “weird” - including myself - would respond to being weird with something between “hell yeah dude fist bump” and “hell yeah dude. Go fuck yourself”, depending on the context and delivery of the original comment. The fact that they’re SUPER upset about being called weird is the primary fact that’s being made fun of here, as well as the fact that, well, the things they are fixating on, and a ton of their campaign positions, are objectively outright weird. It’s leaning on linguistic subtleties and flexibility to take a shot at fascists and live rent-free in their heads, and to most people, it’s absolutely fucking hilarious that it seems to be working.
it looks like that to me too
Genuine question. I do want to engage in discussing political matters—well, some days, when I’m up for it—but I’m hesitant because I expect to be viewed with some paranoia. I will do my best not to even look at votes. If I snark on headlines for some time, which I would enjoy, maybe enough people will figure out I’m not something bad.
As an additional point; “weird” isn’t a slur. A slur is an expression where the very words themselves are considered obscene - a slur is offensive, even when it is used to describe someone or something according to its strict definition.
There is no context where describing someone as a “removed” or a “retard” isn’t offensive. “Weird” isn’t like that, as you’ve pointed out - it’s being used as a simple insult, and it’s persistent because it seems to really annoy the people it is directed at
Edit: to further my point, one of my examples is so objectionable that it was automatically filtered from my post
The problem is, they are weirdos. You can’t make up stuff like the video of JD Vance in the donut shop. It’s hilarious.
JD is Nathan for You, but without awareness or knowing.
Don’t worry about it too much. I don’t think this current trend will completely overtake the word “weird”, but even if it does, you’ll still be good-weird, Republicans will still be bad-weird, and people will know the difference, no matter what we call those things.
The weird window has shifted. Having purple hair and a nose ring used to be “very weird”. Now nobody blinks an an eye at that stuff.
But being attracted to your own daughter (and admitting it publicly) and fucking a couch (and admitting it publicly) are still considered very weird.
Get them on the real stuff, there’s plenty of it. The couch thing is known to be made up and is just misinformation now (well, always was).
He certainly seems like someone who might fuck a couch because he’s fucking weird, so keep the jokes about it coming, but the book excerpt was fake
Is there another choice to describe trump? I mean, other than convicted insurrectionist rapist grifter fool?
Yeah, he’s well beyond weird. Weird is better to describe the idiots who vote for him.
I dont think it is helpful to see it as a slur. This is more like “use my words against me” and it works, really well. The right wing folks this is messing with identify as being normal, predictable, sensible, strong, etc. Not weird. So when one of them goes to a donut shop and has their internal record get stuck on “OK, good” it looks abnormal, unpredictable, nonsensical, and perhaps even weak. AKA weird, and we can make them uncomfortable with that.
It was said as a common sense criticism of the Republicans by VP candidate Tim Walz. It serves as a criticism without giving them any intellectual credibility, which is important against fascism. Fascists love when you try to debate them or allow them in the conversation, and calling them weird shuts it down.
I have a feeling that the political use of it will die out after the election, for what that’s worth. And I don’t think it will seriously impact the “Keep ______ Weird” trend, because they are celebrating weirdness (whereas the Republicans are trying to claim they’re not).
