kraftiekortie wrote:
I guess there's an implication that a "savant" has disabilities in some areas----though I've never heard it used as an insult, per se.
Think of it this way: I don't believe calling someone a "savant" would get you punched. But calling somebody a "ret*d" just might get you punched.
When people say the word "savant," they are typically thinking of the Rain Man or a similar character that they've seen on TV - in other words, someone that is
significantly challenged but has gifts in one specific area. It's like they are saying that you are only good at that one thing.
It's not a slur like "ret*d" is, but it's not generally intended as a compliment.
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“We must learn to reawaken and keep ourselves awake...by an infinite expectation of the dawn, which does not forsake us even in our soundest sleep.”
— Walden