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Word to replace "weird" when used in a positive context

Now that it seems decided that the word “weird” should be used in a derogatory way against sociopathic narcissists in politics, I have to be careful about how i use this word.

In the recent years, I usually used it to describe someone or something that was different in an interesting and charming way. I am neurodivergent in a way that is easily hidden (not that I make coucious efforts to hide it), I would often describe myself as just “slightly weird”. I no longer want to use this word to describe myself anymore because of the above mentioned reasons.

In old literature, I’ve seen the word queer used as such, but today it doesn’t really carry that meaning anymore. Although I wouldn’t really mind if it confused people about my gender, I don’t really worry about that. 😁

Any other suggestions ro help describe myself that wouldn’t put the focus of the discussion on neurotypes?

XTL ,

Yes. It’s a shame, but these things seem to happen. I’m just sorry for Al.

The classic term might be eccentric. But I don’t know you have to be rich for that.

DirigibleProtein ,
  • Eccentric
  • “A wide variety of interests”
sbv ,

Eccentric is a good alternative.

Vanth ,
@Vanth@reddthat.com avatar

Quirky, unique, eccentric, remarkable, mystifying, fantastic, unconventional, offbeat.

Cephalotrocity ,

if you’re referring to yourself I’d prefer ‘quirky’ because it has less of a self-aggrandizing quality to it. More neutral per se

Eccentric, mystifying, unconventional, and offbeat all have varying levels of ‘polite judgment’ or condescension inherent to them so should be used carefully when referring to others.

Unique, remarkable, and fantastic are the more complimentary versions.

TheTechnician27 ,
@TheTechnician27@lemmy.world avatar

I think “quirky” as a self-descriptor got pretty heavily stigmatized during the 2010s, though. Like if someone self-identifies as “quirky”, the first thing that comes to my mind is the holds up spork copypasta. I actually personally really like offbeat, as long as you use a modifier like “a bit”.

fubo ,

Odd?

IndiBrony ,
@IndiBrony@lemmy.world avatar

I’m still quite happy using weird in a positive light. I feel context is always important for a word. Plenty of words have double meanings depending on context.

MajorMajormajormajor ,

A little peculiar.

LoreleiSankTheShip ,

A tad perplexing.

Zachariah ,
@Zachariah@lemmy.world avatar

Great discussion about this topic here: sopuli.xyz/post/15705393

… if someone is called weird and they agree with you, they are the good weird, but if you call them weird and they get defensive/aggressive they are the bad weird …

Hegar , (edited )
@Hegar@fedia.io avatar

Difference enthusiast is fun.

As someone who has identified specifically as 'weird' or a 'weirdo', I'm happy to keep using the term. I don't think anyone's going to confuse my queer-esque anti-heirarchical neurodivergency for whatever the fuck is wrong with those fascist assholes.

ogmios ,
@ogmios@sh.itjust.works avatar

Are you literally going out of your way to deliberately remove any positive connotation from a word in order to try and artificially manufacture a slur?

Pretty weird.

makingStuffForFun ,
@makingStuffForFun@lemmy.ml avatar

Weird is good. Own it.

WeirdGoesPro ,
@WeirdGoesPro@lemmy.dbzer0.com avatar

Agreed.

Alteon ,

Weird can be good…sometimes, depending on the context.

Erika3sis ,
@Erika3sis@hexbear.net avatar

Honestly I would just keep self-describing as “weird” if I were you. If it really is damé to do so, then use a thesaurus; or if you’re multilingual, be a little macaronic.

originalucifer ,
@originalucifer@moist.catsweat.com avatar

eccentric is the aristocratic weird. its my go to

LarmyOfLone ,

I’d argue that weird isn’t being used as an insult, but to state that the bullies are in fact not representing the norm. They are outside the norm but pretend to be normal, they insist on being normal - which makes it weird. It’s not an insult to us, but it is an insult to them. Which makes it funny.

Fascists believe in inequality based on identity, while we kinda thought we had this already sorted that we all believe in equality now. Like all people created equal. But their need to define an identity as superior and then attacking anybody outside the norm is being used against them. And it IS weird to do that, most people simply don’t care if you’re a little weird. We still have to learn to be more tolerant to more weirdness and not react with biases or irrational emotions. Respect weirdness.

So weird isn’t being used as an insult but as a way to rob them of their power - their attempt to define a new normal. And their arguments and attacks against anyone else are becoming increasingly bizarre, less founded in reality, absurd claims. Comical. Weird.

There is the metaphor about slowly cooking a frog without him noticing, shifting the overton window. Weird sort of resets that. It is more an attack on what they DO than what they are.

braindefragger ,

This concern feels unnecessary.

Rentlar ,

Quirky is definitely the best fit, if you are worried about an ambiguous context using a descriptor.

Still, don’t discard weird as a word altogether like a slur so quickly. “Keep Portland Weird”, “Weird Al Yankovic”, still describes stuff that are a little unusual but cool to be around, and the fact that this word comes up in the context of US politics shouldn’t remove one of the word’s many meanings.

A guy at a bar who always shows up with round sunglasses and a tie dye shirt, ordering a glass of milk is the cool kind of weird. A guy who spends all their time talking about themselves are the annoying antisocial kind of weird. Someone who sits next to a washroom staring at the ass of every person going in and out of it is the creep kind of weird.

ArtieShaw ,

I was just thinking about "quirky" because my sister-in-law recently used it to describe her daughter. Her contrasting word (for her son) was "straightforward."

Personally, I fit the former even though I've learned to "pass for normal." NOT my words. That was a direct quote and it was meant as a compliment. Weird is definitely meant as an insult in the US Midwest.

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