Hang in there, Poetgal! I understood what you were saying was not in a malicious way. Boy did you get jumped on pretty quick! I hope you didn’t get too many bumps and bruises. I think people just took it the wrong way. :)
I think the problem is that there are times when words are not only insufficient but actually detrimental to communication.For example, when the florist asked if I wanted a banner to say, "Beloved Mother" for her funeral. I replied, "No. Just, 'Mother.'" If anyone didn't know what that meant, no adjective could possibly tell them. Any adjective could only subtract from, not add to, "Mother." Just as "unique" is stronger than "very unique;" the "very" actually takes away from the full force of the word "unique."
And I think that those who understand how that applies to Senator McCain's behavior naturally are offended by any suggestion contrary to their understanding of his admirable restraint.
The word "very" in the phrase, "very unique" is simply wrong. There are no varying degrees of uniqueness, something is either unique or it is not.
Good point! I understood her because I’ve been there too. :)