Interesting thought about reclaiming the word from where I sit. As a trained chef (baker), the verb "retard" is commonly used for its meaning of slowing something down. This is usually with bread making, especially sourdoughs. Yeast development can be retarded using colder environments to enable better flavor and texture. Honestly, I have a loaf of bread retarding in the refrigerator now, and I'll bake it in the morning.

Since I work often with bakers and baking companies (marketing), the word is used often and I've never once heard someone make a crack involving the word's derogatory usage. Yet, I know the word is not one considered acceptable to use to describe a person or one's actions. But how the word is used in my world obscured its obvious position as something ready to be reclaimed.

That'd be ret-ARD, rather than RE-tard.

Or do Americans put the stress on the first syllable even in the verb? Stressing first syllables is a pretty common feature of American English.

re-TARD, actually.

And it gets stress on the the first syllable where it's used as a noun, second syllable as a verb. cf "address", "attribute". (I do realize the noun–verb distinction doesn't come play in the UK for the former.)

Think of it from their point of view. They want to be known for brilliant talks, not crap ones. If it really was an awful talk, it devalues their brand to publish it.

A good chunk of the TED talks never make it to the site.

Really? Well in that case, why are we even having this discussion?

Damn you, internet!

Interesting, I wasn't aware of that.

The word was 'retarded'. Sarah never said 'retard'.