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.

  • Zachariah@lemmy.world
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    2 months ago

    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

  • EleventhHour@lemmy.world
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    2 months ago

    “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.

  • RubberDuck@lemmy.world
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    2 months ago

    Tim Walz just said it in a speech. He called the behavior of maga and maga cultists weird. And it stuck.

    It probably stuck because it’s an apt description that they don’t like. They have no shame, so trying to actually shame them does not work… which is also weird. The unapologetical and blatant lying is weird… the whole world watches these people and most think… what the fuck…

  • Randomgal@lemmy.ca
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    2 months ago

    I don’t think it’s a slur. That’s what makes it funnier. It is a slur TO HIM and his cucks.

  • gravitas_deficiency@sh.itjust.works
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    2 months ago

    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.

    • bec@lemmy.nzOP
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      2 months ago

      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.

  • Boozilla@lemmy.world
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    2 months ago

    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.

    • MrBobDobalina@lemmy.ml
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      2 months ago

      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

  • rhythmisaprancer@moist.catsweat.com
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    2 months ago

    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.

  • B1naryB0t@lemmy.dbzer0.com
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    2 months ago

    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.

  • JeeBaiChow@lemmy.world
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    2 months ago

    Is there another choice to describe trump? I mean, other than convicted insurrectionist rapist grifter fool?

  • amanneedsamaid@sopuli.xyz
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    2 months ago

    When a base of people can talk in circles for hours about why they don’t believe in proven facts, they have a hard time defending the fact their cult leaders isn’t simply weird as fuck.

  • CrimeDad@lemmy.crimedad.work
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    2 months ago

    I think there’s a different between being weird and being a weirdo. Weird people can be fun, but you have to watch out for weirdos.