Spastic
From Free net encyclopedia
The term spastic has different meanings.
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The definition in the United Kingdom
Spastic has three meanings in the English language:
- An adjective referring to spasticity, a condition in which the individual has spasms. Spasticity is most commonly associated in the public mind with cerebral palsy. It is derived from the Ancient Greek verb root spas- = "pull".
- A sufferer of spasticity. This usage is generally believed to have been popularized from its use in the name of The Spastics Society. As a result of the next listed usage, this usage has become offensive to many.
- A term of abuse, e.g. you're such a spastic (also colloquially abbreviated to "spazz", "spack", "spacko", "spanner" and "spacker"), derived from a popular misconception that those with any physical disability resulting in spasticity would necessarily also have a mental or developmental disability. When a "spacker" has a fit, it is often referred to as a "spack attack."
In the mid-1980s, some people with Cerebral Palsy attempted to "reclaim" the term. This is the meaning in the Ian Dury and the Blockheads song: "Spasticus Autisticus", and it is also used in the Ben Elton book Gridlock.
The Spastics Society, a UK charity for people with cerebral palsy, is now named SCOPE, leading to the colloquial use of the expression Scoper or Scopers to be used in place of sense three.
The definition in America
On occasion American TV series, e.g., Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Firefly, will use the term "Spaz" and get a different reaction from the English and American audiences. The difference in understanding of the term was recently highlighted by golfer Tiger Woods; after losing the US Masters Tournament in 2006, he said, "I was so in control from tee to green, the best I've played for years... But as soon as I got on the green I was a spaz." This comment went uncommented upon in America where the term does not hold the same connotations that it does in the UK. Americans usually associate the term with hyperactivity or klutziness. It is generally considered an inoffensive, and often said with a smile or laugh - indeed, as with Tiger Woods, it is not infrequently said of oneself. On learning of the furore over his comments, Woods' representative apologized for causing offense a few days later [1]
Most Americans were surprised when they learned about the controversy. In fact, at least one American dictionary (Merriam Webster's) makes no reference to cerebral palsy in its definition or word origins. It simply defines "spaz" as a shortening of the word "spastic" and "one who is inept."
"Spaz" products
Many products in America use the word Spaz as part of their name because of the American connotation to energy and excitement.
A caffeinated lipbalm created by a police officer is called "SpazzStick."
An energy drink is called "Spazz Juice" and has a slogan, "all the energy you need to annoy everybody else."
"Spaz-Stix" is the company that produces high end remote control car/plane paints. If you want the most energetic exciting paints, you would purchase "Spaz-stix."
Russian names such as Spassky are not directly related to spasm, but come from a Russian verb root spas- = "save" used to refer to the Saviour.