This is my stance on the word.

We use it regularly in engineering for this exact definition. Mentally disabled people typically operate in the best version of themselves nearly all the time (minus bad days, we all have em)

But people who have the potential to operate at their full capacity but choose not to are the very definition of the word.

I will definitely think it while standing in line behind someone for 15 minutes at a coffee shop who don't decide to even look at the menu until the cashier gets to them.

But I still don't say it, as intention and perception are competely unrelated.

I'd also add "you dumb fucker" hits about the same, without the fallout of "the R word"

I guess that's the part about people and taboo words I don't understand. A little fun flex in vocabulary can transmit the same sentiment without impacting others.

Tactical strike, not full fallout.