'Absolutely'

[Tdol]

'Absolutely' is currently very commonly used, especially in the media and by politicians as a general purpose intensifier to show sincerity. Does this erode the meaning or add to it?...

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Source: TDOL's Language Archive

 

[CitySpeak]

'Absolutely' is currently very commonly used, especially in the media and by politicians as a general purpose intensifier to show sincerity. Does this erode the meaning or add to it?...

Read more...

Source: TDOL's Language Archive

I don't believe there is anything wrong with it. It adds to the meaning. That use of "absolutely" has been around for a while now. Maybe it's more recent in BE? I think it's used in sales a lot.

 

[Casiopea]

'Absolutely' is currently very commonly used, especially in the media and by politicians as a general purpose intensifier to show sincerity. Does this erode the meaning or add to it?...

Read more...

Source: TDOL's Language Archive

I think it's the one and the same meaning--the modify-ee has been omitted (...):

Absolutely (true), Absolutely (terrible), Absolutely (right), Absolutely (unfair).

 

[Tdol]

It's used in many strange ways, where the completely meaning doesn't reallt fit, IMO. It's a Westminster buzz word. ;-)

 

[CitySpeak]

'Absolutely' is currently very commonly used, especially in the media and by politicians as a general purpose intensifier to show sincerity. Does this erode the meaning or add to it?...

Read more...

Source: TDOL's Language Archive

I think it's the one and the same meaning--the modify-ee has been omitted (...):

Absolutely (true), Absolutely (terrible), Absolutely (right), Absolutely (unfair).

Come to think of it, that's how I see it as well. Good point.

 

[Tdol]

It's also commonly used in the phrase 'absolutely and totally', which might seem a bt of a tautology to some. ;-)