No polite way to ask…

[PerfectStrength]

…so I’ll just “swing away”.

What is “retard strength” and how does it work?

[Mark Rippetoe]

Never heard the term.

[Maybach]

Why don't you tell us?

[Jason Donaldson]

I'm usually very careful about Urban Dictionary, but it's pretty much accurate on this phrase. If you look through several of the definitions given there, it hits most of the cultural aspects of the term, more or less:

Urban Dictionary: Retard strength

[gadders]

…so I’ll just “swing away”.

What is “retard strength” and how does it work?

Ask Nick

* hides in England, gets forum account deleted *

[anticausal]

Just like an intelligent person can be a physical retard, a mental retard can be a natural athlete. And when it happens, it can be amusing.

[David A. Rowe]

Excited delirium. Usually some cocktail of responses to threat stimuli, medications or disease.

People get strong quick. If you've ever watch videos of multiple officers wrestling one skinny meth head. Or heard of soccer moms deadlifting cars.

Sourced from people with mental retardation not understanding or being aware how much strength to use when dealing with others in various social conditions (hugs/play/etc.).

[DukeSilver]

Same as old man strength.

[Mark Rippetoe]

Same as old man strength.

Which, I assure you, is mythology.

[Jason Donaldson]

Same as old man strength.

Which, I assure you, is mythology.

In my observations, old man strength is a lot more about technique and mindset on applying the force than it is about the force production capacity itself.