


This page is about the euphemism challenged

Meaning: more limited mentally or physically than most people

For example:

  • Our special students are physically or mentally challenged in some way.

  • She's physically challenged and uses a wheelchair, but she's very active.

The word "challenged" is a politically-correct euphemism for the old-fashioned and offensive word "handicapped". It's also found in many euphemisms that make fun of political correctness, like "vertically challenged" for a short person, "follicly challenged" for a bald person, and "cerebrally challenged" for a person who isn't very clever.

Quick Quiz:

Compared to "handicapped", the word "challenged" is

a. less offensive

b. more offensive

c. just as offensive

This entry is in the following categories:

Contributor: Matt Errey