The Silent Natural - Dummy Hoy

[chjh]

WHEN DID THE WORD “DUMMY” BECOME DEROGATORY?

https://blog.leeandlow.com/2012/08/1...me-derogatory/

In the 21st century, it has become common practice to use “dummy” with insulting intentions. It’s not surprising that some people may feel confused about why William encouraged people to call him “Dummy.” In this passage from Silent Star, author Bill Wise offers an explanation:

“Today calling a deaf person dumb would be derogatory and offensive, but in Hoy’s day it was acceptable. Hoy carried his nickname with pride. Dummy became the name he preferred, and he often corrected people who called him William.”

William was born in 1862. By then, some version of the word “dumb” had existed within the English language for hundreds of years and meant, “silent, unable to speak.” As English became influenced by German, the definition of “stupid” was also adopted; this occurred in the 1800’s.

Today, synonyms for “dummy” include “airhead,” “dimwit” and “idiot.” Under conventional circumstances, those words don’t promote positive feelings for anyone within society, much less those who are deaf. As a result, the deaf community no longer uses the word “dummy.” They have also acquired a much more negative view towards the terms “deaf-mute” and “deaf and dumb,” especially since most people who are deaf can learn how to speak.

[dmyhoy]

Its suggestive that stating Dummy Hoy (hence the capitol "D") at all times. In Webster's dictionary it defines (D) meaning inability to hear or to talk. When using (d) the lower case, it means there is something wrong with you in other words, idiot. As a 32 years researcher on Dummy Hoy, yes, I am Deaf not deaf, am allowing the word "Dummy" to be use at all times. But if you state Dummy with using the column or article without Hoy, then it means something else and discourage in using it. All my research I have read were using "mute", "dumb" but it does not mean offensive in any way. Mute means inability to speak, dumb means mute. In the old days there were signs means (you would have to learn sign language to understand) Should anyone else using "dummy Hoy" I would make correction on you to change it to "Dummy Hoy". But if not, then it considered racist in ignoring.

[dmyhoy]

Originally Posted by chjh

WHEN DID THE WORD “DUMMY” BECOME DEROGATORY?

https://blog.leeandlow.com/2012/08/1...me-derogatory/

In the 21st century, it has become common practice to use “dummy” with insulting intentions. It’s not surprising that some people may feel confused about why William encouraged people to call him “Dummy.” In this passage from Silent Star, author Bill Wise offers an explanation:

“Today calling a deaf person dumb would be derogatory and offensive, but in Hoy’s day it was acceptable. Hoy carried his nickname with pride. Dummy became the name he preferred, and he often corrected people who called him William.”


William was born in 1862. By then, some version of the word “dumb” had existed within the English language for hundreds of years and meant, “silent, unable to speak.” As English became influenced by German, the definition of “stupid” was also adopted; this occurred in the 1800’s.

Today, synonyms for “dummy” include “airhead,” “dimwit” and “idiot.” Under conventional circumstances, those words don’t promote positive feelings for anyone within society, much less those who are deaf. As a result, the deaf community no longer uses the word “dummy.” They have also acquired a much more negative view towards the terms “deaf-mute” and “deaf and dumb,” especially since most people who are deaf can learn how to speak.

In the old days, stating "dumb" meaning deaf and/or mute. As a life long researcher, I do not find it offensive on Dummy Hoy in any thoughts or deeds. Should Dummy Hoy ever get to be induct into the NBHOF and they didn't mention "Dummy" i considered it ignorance. Dummy Hoy should be named as "William Ellsworth 'Dummy' Hoy" with respects at all times.

[Tabe]

Originally Posted by chjh

WHEN DID THE WORD “DUMMY” BECOME DEROGATORY?

https://blog.leeandlow.com/2012/08/1...me-derogatory/

In the 21st century, it has become common practice to use “dummy” with insulting intentions.

That word has been derogatory my entire life and I was born in 1972.