Roger,

I already pointed out in a comment (probably too long a comment– sorry) to another recent post that an elite runs, or at least *thinks* it runs, the country.

To the extent that this elite is arrogant, condescending (in the modern sense of the word, I know), overbearing, and generally unpleasant, then it is to that extent that “elitist” is a negative epithet.

The solution to what you see as the misuse of the word is not to castigate Joe Average for such misuse, but (as you have said) it is to get the politicians, the “elite”, to stop misusing *us*.

Yes, I’m being cranky.