Gooseberry is/was a popular one in the UK. I also landed on Muppet, potato, loaf of bread/piece of toast, dipshit, lump, clod, lummox. Really any word for an inanimate object, especially simple/unremarkable objects, seems to do the trick.

Oof, not being allowed to express negative emotions was a big one in my family too. Hope you're dealing with that ok.

I don't know if I agree, I sorta took it as a challenge to come up with more creative insults instead of punching down (whether intentionally or not).

I struggle with this a bit. I grew up using stupid, dumb, idiot, moron, spaz, etc. I was recently informed by a friend with an autistic son that they don't use any of those words in their house both because a) they're hurtful and b) because historically they were pejorative terms/slurs for neurodivegent and intellectually disabled people.

I try my best to be sensitive with the words I use but these words have always felt safe, even innocent. Nobody is shaming me for using them, I'm just trying to be kind, but they slip in without me even noticing.

First of all this conversation has nothing to do with reproductive rights so please stop.

Second of all, people who believe in reproductive rights for women don't deny that fetuses will eventually develop into babies/children. Using the word fetus is not a strategic choice meant to dehumanize, it's scientific terminology meant to differentiate The stages of development between egg, embryo, fetus, and baby.

You're creating a ridiculous straw man and you look foolish doing it.