Yesterday I explained the right and wrong way to use the word 'idiot'. Of course, I gave her the 6 year old version. When she gets older she'll learn to call all mentally inferior people 'idiot', or to call them a バカ (baka) so they have to find translators to see what you called them. But, for now I stuck with "not calling real people idiot".

Why did I explain the word to her? Because she has started using the word. I've noticed that everything from Spongebob to Jimmy Neutron uses the word 'idiot'. Probably 90% of the shows for the 6-9 year old group uses it. When did this happen? I don't recall this being an acceptable word when I was a kid. Wilma wasn't calling Fred an idiot. I don't recall Mr. Sprocket calling George an idiot. Of course, things change and what is acceptable for kids to view and hear change with the times. I suppose that's OK, as long as parents notice it and talk to their kids about it.. like I tried to do. I also notice other slang terms being used, like "sucks". Luckily, she doesn't use that yet. She does say 'dang' or 'darn' a lot. But, I think Suzy and I also use that (better than damn, or shit depending on the context).

Here is a chronological progression of word usage:

Spongebob, 1950: "Patrick, you're pretty dim."
Spongebob, 1965: "Patrick, you're lame, man."
Spongebob, 1975: "Patrick, you're a square."
Spongebob, 1985: "Patrick, you're mentally challenged."
Spongebob, 1987: "Patrick, you're, like, totally lame. Totally."
Spongebob, 1994: "Patrick, you're not the brighted bulb."
Spongebob, 2000: "Patrick, you're dumb."
Spongebob, 2005: "Patrick, you're an idiot."
Spongebob, 2010: "Patrick, you're one dumb ass motherfucker."