Hi, Mr. Red. Thanks for getting this thread back on track about language.

Our topic is English usage, so here's an example of a usage I am tired of, and that is over-use of the ultimate. Here's a quotation from a thread about a fairly modern Scottish song:

"It is a total mystery to me why anyone would actually want the lyrics to this appallingly sentimental garbage."

Notice the strong terms:

total mystery
actually want
appallingly* sentimental
garbage

Actually, the writer merely thinks the lyrics are twee. And apparently he knows nothing of the value of the melody.

*(Appalling? If you want to experience something truly appalling, learn about child abuse.)

==========
I've heard this kind of talk so many times. Something merely imperfect is pronounced "dreadful." A band that's mediocre is pronounced "atrocious."

Come to think of it, this is a mild form of bullying.