>This reply was a great example
>of why you should speak
>for yourself...

I think you should take your own advice, dude.


>>as a result,
>>we give it positive meaning
>>so that we don't feel
>>so encumbered to stop using
>>it...
>
>Its use is not positive.

how can YOU possibly define a word that millions of people use? That's what I don't get.

>Just because it can mean
>"friend" in certain situations, that
>doesn't mean it's a compliment
>otherwise. And the point
>is, the roots just don't
>go away... as far as
>feeling encumbered to stop using
>it, well, see my first
>sentence.

A word, any word, only possesses as much meaning as the person who uses it. If you don't like the use of the word, just don't say it. that's fine. But don't tell everyone else that they're wrong for using a word. This reminds me of the whole ebonics vs "good english" battle. No word or language is wrong if it is successfully used to communicate.