When referring to someone for whom it is difficult or impossible to walk or move without some kind of external aid like crutches or a wheelchair, sensitivity is called for. The words
cripple and
crippled are no longer considered appropriate. Although these terms have been in use since before the year 950, since the mid-1900s they have become increasingly uncommon and are now regarded as insulting. Since the late 20th century, the terms
handicapped and
the handicapped, once thought to be acceptable alternatives, have also become somewhat offensive. (
Handicapped remains acceptable, however, in certain set phrases like
handicapped parking.) Attempts to replace
crippled with the milder euphemistic term
physically challenged were sidetracked by a virtual explosion of satirical imitations like
economically challenged (poor),
ethically challenged (immoral), and
vertically challenged (short). The currently acceptable terms are
disabled and, when referring to groups, the phrase
people with disabilities, or somewhat less commonly,
the disabled. These terms are not only less likely to offend, they are more useful. While
cripple and
crippled traditionally denoted permanent impairments of one or more limbs,
disabled is a broader, more comprehensive word that can refer to many different kinds of physical or mental impairments, whether temporary or permanent.
cripple and
crippled are not deemed offensive when referring to an inanimate object or an animal. And
cripple can be used freely as a verb, especially metaphorically, as in
Failing to upgrade the computer system will cripple our business. See also
retarded.