Trigger words: humbled (8) Humbled
Indicator sentences: No, what they are expressing is a sense of being unworthy and the recipient of a gift, a gift of talent, a gift of opportunity, a gift of trust from voters. Now, it's possible you don't believe what they are saying, but that is what they are saying. "I'm not worthy, thank you, I'll try not to let it go to my head, to stay humble, to keep my feet on the ground despite all these wonderful accolades." That's what it means to say "I feel humbled."
Negotiation parts: The word 'literally' "evolving" to mean both literally and figuratively at least makes sense; in the literal sense, literally means "literally", and in the hyperbolic sense, "literally" means figuratively. Those are two distinct senses that can be inferred by the context which the word "literally" is used, and although the English language is worse off for it, is a fairly simple change to wrap your head around. Same with terrible, fearful, etc. "Humbled" doesn't have an easily graspable tangential usage like the other examples. The beginning part of your comment makes more sense to me. However, I don't see it being used that way *genuinely* often. As I said, when it is used most of the time it seems to be a proxy for pride without having to boast. It seems to be the politically correct way of conveying that you are proud of your/your team's accomplishments. I could accept that that is an acceptable use of the word if those who used it truly meant that a situation had grounded them *more than they were before*; that is, the situation had *humbled* them. Beyond that, the use of the word is incorrect as the word is defined currently, and murky in meaning. humbled
Trigger words: actually means
Indicator sentences: I don't understand the concept. What does a word "actually mean"?
Negotiation parts: My understanding is that a word 'actually means' *what most people mean when they say it*. Any other definition requires some sort of extrinsic authority capable of declaring and enforcing an 'actual meaning' which derives from *what* exactly? It's not so much a matter of what the word means as what the person means. Even if we agree that no string of letters or sounds has any objective meaning, the problem here is that two different concepts are being used interchangeably. Sure, and it's a perfectly reasonable thing to call out that the word is being used to mean different things. Where I get twitchy is when someone starts claiming that their meaning is "right" and the other guy's meaning isn't. [STA-CITE]> a word 'actually means' what most people mean when they say it. [END-CITE]I completely agree.
Trigger words: humbled (8) Humbled humble
Indicator sentences: I would agree with you if people said something like, "I am a humble person." But not with the usage you are using, "I am humbled to be voted MVP..." I think you are being a bit to literal with the definition of humbled.