Why does Curse work differently to other moves?

Jul. 5, 2018

Yes I know this question is painfully obvious, but just to get this out the way, why is it that the move, Curse works differently that how ghost-type Pokémon are using?Again, painfully obvious, but just wanna get this out.Please.Thank you.

Pleaselog inorregisterto add a comment.

Curse’s differing effects are a play on its Japanese name, のろい Noroi, which can mean either “curse” (呪い) or “dull/slow” (鈍い), depending on the kanji used. This is why it bestows an actual curse when used by Ghost-type Pokémon but lowers Speed when used by non-Ghost-type Pokémon.

Bulbapedia

In the beginning, it was a joke of sorts, I guess. This is further proved by the story (which let me state for the record, I think isgenius) the man who gives the curse TM in the Gen 2 games tells:

-(Same as above)

So initially it was meant to be a clever play on words, and to add to the spook and mark its unique effects, it even had a ??? Typing until Gen 5.