Kavros posted:

Was just having a discussion about this over a father who's been working in automotive engineering for big diesel engines like that they put in school busses and semis, or "diesel pushers" which go on the back of tour busses or exceptionally large motorhomes, and frequently has to talk about, say, retarded ignition timing. Or retard compression.

Their individual solution after a dirty look incident was to avoid verbally discussing such things over the phone in a public place or anywhere its use could be accidentally offensive. Because when we're talking about the world at large and its general usage, it is a slur primarily used to punch down as it can to equip sophomoric cruelty, and it shouldn't be a complicated question about intentionally omitting it when asked.