Most reporters are innumerate -- but, this horrible trend got started when some "clever" (and arrogant) editor decided that the great unwashed masses couldn't handle fractions and percentages. Now, instead of saying "1/5th as much", we have "five times less" -- which makes no sense whatsoever. None.
Dear US Friend In Victoria,
I’ve been thinking about it. Given you state that you are 5 times as peeved as I, and Don W is 90% as peeved as you are. Could I say correctly that I am 8 times less peeved than Don W?
It might not seem like much, but I’m still very peeved. Go figure.
Carry on.