MON, I agree with you. I really, really dislike the word "gifted."
I think just the word gifted comes with connotation of being preferred by a higher power, to being chosen somehow. I know that's not what it means in this context, but I think that even having that emotional/"higher power" attachment often outweighs the actual facts for people who don't know much about gifted kids.
I feel embarrassed using the word "gifted," even talking to dh -- it just doesn't feel right, due to what common conception of "giftedness" is. It does carry a stigma to it. I prefer to say "ahead of the curve!"
I'm not all up in arms about not using it, since "gifted" is the understood term. Just in conversation, I avoid the "g" word if at all possible and replace it with "pretty bright" or "advanced." That's not gifted denial; that's my dislike of the word and the connotations it carries.
