Similarly the words idiot, imbecile and moron originally had very specific meanings in reference to IQ levels. A nice summary of that can be found here.

The term "gay" has a long uphill battle ahead, since homosexuality has only really been acceptable for about 20 years or so. I prefer to use the word "lame" when referring to something that's crap.
( The Resident Loon Not a demographic. Do not measure., Wed 7 Mar 2012, 19:06, 1 reply)

Gay is just changing meaning again.
Its's gone from happy to homosexual and now it's on its way to "not very good".
Of course "lame" used to mean "unable to walk" but you don't hear of many lame people complaining that it now means something different also.
(Me, I'm not... in any way intoxicated, Wed 7 Mar 2012, 19:20, closed)

And yet,
handicapped has fallen out of use, and I've yet to hear of anyone lobbying for it's return.

Language, huh? It's kerazee!
( monster munch person, man, woman... camera... TV?, Wed 7 Mar 2012, 20:06, closed)

I have heard someone use the term "handicapped" recently.
It was about himself though, when trying to get a better seat at a rugby game.
I should point out he was handicapped, though possibly not permanently.
(Me, I'm not... in any way intoxicated, Wed 7 Mar 2012, 20:38, closed)

Was he
an older gentleman? It's the sort of word my old mum still uses.
( monster munch person, man, woman... camera... TV?, Wed 7 Mar 2012, 21:46, closed)

No, he was in his early twenties.
He refered to himself as a cripple too at times.
Edit: Was a similar situation to The Resident Loon below but a little longer term by the sounds of it.
(Me, I'm not... in any way intoxicated, Wed 7 Mar 2012, 22:54, closed)

Shandycapped?
Being all wonky-legged through over-consumption of alcohol? Was that it?

Typical bloody rugby fan.
(square go, Wed 7 Mar 2012, 22:38, closed)

When I had a broken ankle and was on crutches
I used to refer to myself as a gimp. In fact, the name "Crippie Boy" was used (Clerks II reference) by my kids.

It was only for three months, but I kept a sense of humor about it. I wasn't even able to get a cup of coffee or cook for myself, which was demoralizing, so I made a point of joking about it.

The best part was when I would pull into a handicap space in the parking lot and get attitude from people as they saw a Mazda MX-5 pull in there- until I produced the handicap pass and my crutches and watched them slink off.
( The Resident Loon Not a demographic. Do not measure., Wed 7 Mar 2012, 22:49, closed)

Does have a broken ankle now qualify you as 'disabled'?
Surely that's just being badly injured. When did the lines blur so much?
(Mr Fudge It shouldn't be illegal to have sex with an eagle, Thu 8 Mar 2012, 10:05, closed)

Temporarily it did.
I had a handicap pass so I could use the gimp spaces at the grocery store, and had to use an electric cart to get around in the store itself. It was always a sore temptation to put the crutches out in front of me and go jousting.

It lasted just long enough for me to get a good understanding of what some people have to go through for their lives.
( The Resident Loon Not a demographic. Do not measure., Thu 8 Mar 2012, 14:53, closed)