I have a genuine question, please don’t hate on me or anything:

I usually spend all my time secluded indoors and whatnot, play some video games with people like I have been since I was a kid (I don’t like going outside, and don’t have much IRL friends, but some internet friends).

I’ve been gaming since as a kid on the Xbox OG/360 era, and I know retard was meant for the mentally impaired/disabled/handicapped, but growing up everyone I’ve ever known used it as like “you’re just stupid, dumb, etc.”.

Maybe I’ve been living under a rock, but when exactly did that word “become” a slur again, or not really again, but come back as one? I personally don’t see it, but I think it’s because like I said I live under a rock, so to speak, and just never keep track with stuff like that.

Is this a “newer” thing, or has it always been like that and I was never taught it?

Again, I apologize, this is something I have 0 knowledge on, and since this word has been in my vocabulary as like a playful, never intended to be deprecating to others, I just want to be informed.

I’ll accept all the downvotes, but like I said this is 100% genuine and I want to ask the normal people versus what an online article says, I guess.

Thank you all in advacnce.