However, it seems funny that those on one side of the fence think that they get to choose the direction of the evolution of language. Just because journalists started using the word the wrong way, with only one connotation. That is not evolution, but redirection by a minority. Because of this, "hacker" is even more loosely defined in popular culture than even you hint at. It now amounts to"I think somebody or something did something to my computer that I don't really care for," even if it was the result of a software update, user misconfiguration, or sheer clinical paranoia.

So, choosing the strict definition of hacker with a negative connotation really is not following the evolution of language, either.

Also, I did not realize that "gay' is now restricted to a usage that describes homosexual males. Following that evolution, and going back quite a way, "gay" also means "totally stupid, lame, something I'm not interested in". As in, "This post that seanferd wrote is totally gay."

To each his (yeah, neutral gender ) own. I certainly would not disparage you as a person for your chosen usage of the word. And I apologize if anything I have written has offended you, Deb.