Locationally challenged

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AlexAD

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Hi.

Here is the citation by John Ford, "We're not lost. We're locationally challenged."
Do you have any clues what the phrase 'locationally challenged' might mean?

Thanks in advance.
Alex.
 

5jj

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Yes. It means 'lost'. It's rather like saying, "I'm not lost; it's just that I don't know where I am"
 

Raymott

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Hi.

Here is the citation by John Ford, "We're not lost. We're locationally challenged."
Do you have any clues what the phrase 'locationally challenged' might mean?

Thanks in advance.
Alex.
It's an attempted humorous version of "I'm not short; I'm just vertically challenged" which, in turn, is a criticism of new PC labels like 'hearing-challenged' for 'deaf' or 'motivationally-challenged' for 'lazy'.
(Actually, I sometimes find it difficult to tell which are of these terms are meant seriously, and which are parodies.)
 

5jj

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AlexAD

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Yes, I was confused because the adverb challenged appears not to have its origin from the verb challenge which made some difficulties for me to understand that phrase.
 

TheParser

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NOT A TEACHER


Hello, Alex:


According to dictionary.com, this practice of "adverb + challenged" started in the United States during the

early 1980's.

Many times, it is used in a humorous or sarcastic manner, as in Mr. Ford's example.

I am very (very!) stupid when it comes to mathematics (and most other subjects), but I prefer to think of

myself as mathematically challenged.


HAVE A NICE DAY!
 

billmcd

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In addition to all the previous responses, the term "challenged" used in that form is currently and frequently the politically correct replacement for "handicapped".
 
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