What's an equivalent replacement for the word "lame"?

I don’t know if I’m just becoming overly sensitive to my own language or if this is an actual issue, so feel free to let me know if it seems that I just need to grow thicker skin, but still.

I keep getting this uneasy feeling whenever I use the word “lame” and I think it’s because I’m starting to realize it’s technically ableist. However, there’s no single non-profane word that I know of that fits the niche that I use it in.

For example, I wrote out something earlier about a behavior I do that I don’t like that I do because I think it’s kind of shitty behavior, but it’s overall harmless. I use lame to describe it casually. I could also call it kind of shitty, as I did before, but not to audiences that I don’t want to use profanity around.

Anyone know of a word I can replace “lame” with?

I’d say maybe weak, but that’s got its own baggage that I’m not sure I’m ok with switching to. Annoying is too strong of a word for what I’m going for. Maybe lame is a short word for “this makes me feel slightly sad”?

Idk, so I open it up to the public: Is this even an issue or am I being too sensitive? Could this be solved in a single replacement word or do I need a whole ass phrase to express this?

furrowsofar,

My problem with lame is that it tends to be a way to cut people down including youself. Pretty much comments involving lame tend to come out as pretty lame most of the time.

Generally be easy on people and hard on problems. Better to be more specific or accurate or say nothing at all.

As for you, stop cutting youself down with value judgements. Instead just say to youself … an opportunity for improvement. And be more specific about your concrete action plan.

By the way, the word “weak” has the same issues.

Lettuceeatlettuce,

Depends on what you’re trying to express.

Lame could mean, boring, pathetic, underwhelming, dissapointing, etc.

“That concert last night was so lame.” (Dissapointing, boring, underwhelming)

“My friend is so lame to roadtrip with.” (Boring, annoying)

“The warranty my TV came with is super lame.” (Pathetic, overpriced)

“Flag day is the lamest federal holiday” (most ridiculous)

Rozauhtuno,
@Rozauhtuno@lemmy.blahaj.zone avatar

The point is the word ‘lame’ was originally ableist, though people don’t really use it that way anymore.

en.wiktionary.org/wiki/lame

Limeade,

Perhaps lousy might be a suitable replacement?

sigmaklimgrindset,

English is not my native language, and I’ve had the origins of “lame” explained to me as well.

I started using “How dull” or “x activity seems dull” and apparently it still gives off the same amount of ennui as using “lame”, so you might try that?

FlickOfTheBean,

That’s a good idea too. I think the word I was looking for was “inconsiderate” but these are fantastic solutions for other situations as well!

apis,

Disappointing, lacklustre, underwhelming, missing, sad, less considered.

I think it is good to reflect on the language we use, but also to be forgiving of ourselves if making the improvements we want to implement isn’t always totally smooth.

FlickOfTheBean,

This post made me realize that the word I’m looking for is likely “inconsiderate”. Thank you! Sad is definitely close too.

And I agree, I try not to be too hard on myself when I slip on language I prefer to use. I don’t think being too hard on myself is productive in any way anymore.

Kolanaki,
@Kolanaki@yiffit.net avatar

“Cringe” is seemingly used that way in current slang, though with an added layer of thought.

sigmaklimgrindset,

“Cringe” doesn’t have the emotional devastation that “lame” with an eyeroll does, at least according to my mother.

huginn,

Your mother is wrong:

IDC lame but I’d move mountains to avoid being cringe

LallyLuckFarm,

“Cringe” is still a verb to many people, and being understanding of different interpretations leads to better dialogue. Knowing how to bridge those gaps with effective language can lead to intergenerational cooperation.

Pure snark which I hope you’ll see is intended to show I’m saying this as some gentle ribbing and not to put down your perspective.

sigmaklimgrindset,

You try telling my mother she’s wrong, I’m not fighting that woman over something subjective like “cringe” lol

Kolanaki,
@Kolanaki@yiffit.net avatar

Only because your mom grew up with lame. If she was your age and grew up with cringe, it would hit the same way. I’m a bit in that group, I just am very attached to language so am a bit more sensitive to how it’s used to see the parallels.

sigmaklimgrindset,

Oh I’m not disagreeing, cringe is 1000% worse than lame to me. I just think it’s really funny how devastated she would be every time I said something she liked was “lame”.

Boozilla,
@Boozilla@beehaw.org avatar

Cringe is far too overused IMHO. Especially online.

If something is “lame” it’s probably unoriginal, derivative, boring, or annoying.

FlickOfTheBean,

Cringe is just too visceral for what I’m describing though.

Lame would be a 3/10 while cringe would be like a 5/10, using cringe in its least meaningful form. A full on cringe is like a 8/10 (and depending on who I’m talking to, it seems to sometimes hit like a 10/10)

LallyLuckFarm,

Personally, I think it’s fantastic that you’re examining your language in this way. It’s certainly not ill-mannered, unsolicitous, infelicitous, or untoward of you to do so.

FlickOfTheBean,

Ahh those are all fantastic, thank you!

LoamImprovement,

Maybe I’m getting too old to understand the lingo, but I thought that’s what ‘mid’ was for? Not good, but not bad enough to warrant a stronger reaction. Just mid.

NightAuthor,

I feel like lame is cool as mid is to awesome. They’re like words for positions on spectrums of stuff, but two different spectrums.

Maybe a simple “uncool” would suffice for OP.

FlickOfTheBean,

I wouldn’t describe “only texting someone when you need something” as mid though, if that helps at all

ohokthatsgood,

I like “bogus” or “whack”

thismessisaplace,

Your Alma Mater is whack!

ArtZuron,
@ArtZuron@beehaw.org avatar

I do like using Whack yeah

FlickOfTheBean,

That’s a good one, I like that. Thanks for the suggestion!

CurlyWurlies4All,
@CurlyWurlies4All@slrpnk.net avatar

Cheugy

buckykat,

Shitty

rando_nneur,

Uncool or cringe maybe? Boring might also fit.

abbadon420,

This post is so FlickOfTheBean (Just kidding, of course. I sometimes use “meh” around people who know what a meme is, or “lukewarm” around more older or formal people)

nickwitha_k,

“Unfortunate”, maybe.

  • All
  • Subscribed
  • Moderated
  • Favorites
  • •
  • random
  • uselessserver093
  • Food
  • aaaaaaacccccccce
  • [email protected]
  • test
  • CafeMeta
  • testmag
  • MUD
  • RhythmGameZone
  • RSS
  • dabs
  • Socialism
  • KbinCafe
  • TheResearchGuardian
  • Ask_kbincafe
  • oklahoma
  • feritale
  • SuperSentai
  • KamenRider
  • All magazines
    •