Two words in the process of disappearing are affect and effect. I am affected by the weather. What is the effect of drinking too much beer? Now, unfortunately, both are replaced by impact. Meaning has been lost.

Small, or little, in the sense of acting shabbily (McGrath's mean), are still with us. I hadn't thought about the loss of distinction with regard to mean, but I think it is true. The newer meaning of mean- he plays a mean riff, rides a mean machine, etc., is even taking over the word vicious. "He's a real killer, really vicious," just means that he is damn good at what he does. He really kicks ass (arse?) - do they say that over there, McGrath, or is that (for the moment) still only North American?