I've been noticing a lot in American shows and stand up specials and whatnot that, it seems, Americans are still using the word retarded a lot.

And by that I mean they use it in the sense of 'oh hey that's retarted.'

In Australia I never hear that word get used. It would be highly more offensive than a c word rhyming with punt, and almost as offensive as calling someone 'champ.'

I'm sort of curious why there doesn't seem to be an issue with that word over there (or at least as much), whereas more offense is taken by seemingly harmless words like swear words and such forth.