If you could permanently ban a word from general usage, which one would it be? Why?

Plus all the weird mix ups of the word. Growing up in the 80’s I used the term retarded, just like everyone else I knew. And I never thought about how it made anyone else feel except the person I was trying to insult. When I was in grade school I don’t remember people with disabilities ever being around because they were always segregated from gen ed.

Fast forward to 2016, and my third child is born with Down syndrome. It didn’t take long for me to feel so cringe about my use of words that could cause so much pain to another family.  I still hold myself accountable for being so naive to others lives. As a mom, now with the same 8 year old who was also diagnosed with Autism.

It becomes even worse when I acknowledge someone else using the word, and I am reminded how hurtful words can be. I get reasons like “oh I didn’t mean your son”.  Which is not the purpose of me saying something. But if you know better, won’t you do better?