Butchering the Language

I recognize that English is a very dynamic, constantly changing language. English adds as many new words in a single decade as some language use altogether.

But, what is the deal with incorrect, improper, erroneous and downright wrong word usage?

My current pet peeve is "infamous" -- It is CONSTANTLY misused! "Infamous is NOT "super famous"!! It is not correct to say that a person is so famous they are really "infamous"! No! No! No! Not even the History Channel is above butchering this word!

Infamous = Having a reputation of the worst kind : notoriously evil; causing or bringing infamy : disgraceful! (Merriam Webster Dictionary)

Thus - Bonnie and Clyde, Hitler, Castro, etc., are "infamous" -- George Washington is NOT!

While I am on the topic -- "Irregardless" is not really a word!

"Irregardless originated in dialectal American speech in the early 20th century. Its fairly widespread use in speech called it to the attention of usage commentators as early as 1927. The most frequently repeated remark about it is that “there is no such word.” There is such a word, however. It is still used primarily in speech, although it can be found from time to time in edited prose. Its reputation has not risen over the years, and it is still a long way from general acceptance. Use regardless instead." (Merriam Webster Dictionary)

Perhaps with sufficient mis-use these words will be added/changed in the dictionary in the future -- but get it right now!

My accent may be thick enough that some people can't understand what I am saying -- but at least I usually use the correct word, and use a word correctly!