I see your point, and I sympathize with the quest for precision. Saying one thing, when you mean another is a bit perverse as a cultural phenomenon.
However, there's something wrong with an unrelenting search for precision as well (it seems to me), but I can't put my finger on it. I remember this writer talking about two approaches to writing: one where you suspend belief, and work with truths, and one where you suspend disbelief, and see where the "story" takes you. In some ways, the unwillingness to suspend disbelief feels a bit like the unwillingness to face the dark side of your own fantasy. I mean the place where the lies, inaccuracies and fear mongering (the things we try to weed out when we advocate precise language) take you.
I haven't made up my mind about this, but it's an interesting topic.
However, there's something wrong with an unrelenting search for precision as well (it seems to me), but I can't put my finger on it. I remember this writer talking about two approaches to writing: one where you suspend belief, and work with truths, and one where you suspend disbelief, and see where the "story" takes you. In some ways, the unwillingness to suspend disbelief feels a bit like the unwillingness to face the dark side of your own fantasy. I mean the place where the lies, inaccuracies and fear mongering (the things we try to weed out when we advocate precise language) take you.
I haven't made up my mind about this, but it's an interesting topic.