Misuse of the word "refute" really tits me off

[OwlHoot]

Heard someone on Radio 4 this morning in the car saying the Speaker "absolutely refutes" allegations that he bullied his staff.

When will these idiots learn that "refute" means "to prove wrong by argument or evidence" and does NOT mean just "deny"

Any fecker can deny something, even if they're obviously as guilty as a fox in a henhouse. But that doesn't mean they've refuted anything!

The BBC should know better (although they may have been quoting Bercow, but that is no excuse)

[northernladuk]

A very good point but it doesn't even come close to the annoyance that the misuse of the word literally causes.

It literally makes my blood boil.

[MarillionFan]

A very good point but it doesn't even come close to the annoyance that the misuse of the word literally causes.

It literally makes my blood boil.

The fortuitous enormity of these misquotes is literally ironic.

[WTFH]

What about the use of the word "Elite" by the Eton-educated son of Lord Rees-Mogg when referring to a guy from Brixton who left school with 3 O levels?

[northernladyuk]

'Rebut' is the correct word.

[northernladyuk]

A very good point but it doesn't even come close to the annoyance that the misuse of the word literally causes.

It literally makes my blood boil.

'Literally' has an additional meaning, when it is used for emphasis without meaning, 'literally true'. It has been used this way for centuries.

‘Lift him out,’ said Squeers, after he had literally feasted his eyes in silence upon the culprit. (Charles Dickens, Nicholas Nickleby)

Literally, I was (what he often called me) the apple of his eye. (Charlotte Brontë, Jane Eyre)

Now get back in the kitchen and put the kettle on.

[northernladuk]

Now get back in the kitchen and put the kettle on.

How many sugars?

[northernladyuk]

How many sugars?

I'm sweet enough already.

[northernladyuk]

What about the use of the word "Elite" by the Eton-educated son of Lord Rees-Mogg when referring to a guy from Brixton who left school with 3 O levels?

Steady on. Rees-Mogg comes from a mining family.

[ladymuck]

Steady on. Rees-Mogg comes from a mining family.

Bitcoin mining?