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Origin of the word Retarded
“In order to remove all obstacles, which may in the least retard what is so conducive…” .
In 1720, in the American Weekly Mercury, the word “retard” was defined as creating some sort of hindrance.
1700
Retard
In its origin, "Retarded" was more often used in the tense Retard. At this time, the definition of "retard" was to slow something down.
To
The Boston News Letter
The word “retard” was first found printed in American newspapers in 1704. It was used to describe the slowing down or the diminishing of something. An excerpt from the 1704 article from the Boston News Letter reads:
“…but the Precarious Title of the present King of Spain is likely to retard the fame.”
The American Weekly Mercury
1704
1720
"Retard" in Use
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