Re:This has become One Of Those Words (Score 1)

I would disagree ... its either being used incorrectly, or its simply missing a humorous qualifier like "almost" :)... " ... almost literally ran for their lives ... "

... as for English words with double meanings, I'd say there are a few, but you've used bad examples ...
Anxious - is the queasy feeling of uneasiness, its not directed ...
Sanctioned is exactly that - listing explicitly permitted actions, so if you have sanctions say against a country, you are stating what is permitted, that maybe sweet FA but no double meaning ...
Apparent is an uncertain qualifier, based on what is seen, but acknowledging there may be something unseen ... thus never completely certain.

Phrases are a whole different kettle of fish, and are merely "picked up" by a region, regardless of making sense ... and can't be blamed on the English language as a whole ...

As to not awarding damages against the Spammers, they look like a semi-respectable non profit organisation, until you point out that they're spammers ... the Judge may not have known any better