It's difficult to say how quickly an insult can spread. With the internet I'd venture to say that a word can change meaning a lot more quickly than it used to.
The only time I've heard 'spaz' used is in "Revenge of the Nerds" and while I rather like cretin as a word (don't ask me why - I just like the sound of it), I couldn't imagine ever using it in conversation.
I think where 'special' is concerned, it depends on the context. I see a lot of people saying, "Well, aren't you the special snowflake," which is usually in response to someone saying something really offensive or dumb, but I wouldn't want to use it myself.
It's a very condescending phrase and honestly? I think that if I'm going to insult someone, I want to actually insult them, not use condescension and sarcasm.
As to how far it's spread, again, interesting question. I'm trying to think of a time when one could use it and not have it taken for sarcasm and I'm honestly drawing a blank. That's not to say that a circumstance doesn't exist, only that I can't think of one off-hand, so I'd say that the wider meaning is being restricted at least somewhat.
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The only time I've heard 'spaz' used is in "Revenge of the Nerds" and while I rather like cretin as a word (don't ask me why - I just like the sound of it), I couldn't imagine ever using it in conversation.
I think where 'special' is concerned, it depends on the context. I see a lot of people saying, "Well, aren't you the special snowflake," which is usually in response to someone saying something really offensive or dumb, but I wouldn't want to use it myself.
It's a very condescending phrase and honestly? I think that if I'm going to insult someone, I want to actually insult them, not use condescension and sarcasm.
As to how far it's spread, again, interesting question. I'm trying to think of a time when one could use it and not have it taken for sarcasm and I'm honestly drawing a blank. That's not to say that a circumstance doesn't exist, only that I can't think of one off-hand, so I'd say that the wider meaning is being restricted at least somewhat.