It doesn’t, that’s not my point though. “Idiot” is just a watered down form in the modern era, but its still a slur for someone with poor cognitive abilities. And much like “retard” it was used in a clinical/technical context originally.

A person calling someone an idiot is using a culturally softer term to get away with conveying the same exact message. You feel contempt for someone for being dumb, a totally understandable emotion. Calling someone an idiot though doesn’t convey the same bite, sure, but that is almost the problem. Why would you pull punches if you feel earnest contempt for them and their lack of intelligence? Its insincere.

To provide another example of what I mean: If someone says “DEI people” they want to say the N-word without actually saying it and they are rightfully called out on that all the time.

Have you ever called someone an idiot?