adverbs - Why is "hopefully" treated so mercilessly?


Is the word "hopefully" unjustly treated? We don't like the sentence:


"Hopefully, my ship is just over the horizon and due in real soon now."


But we don't mind saying:


"Happily, the tree fell on that eyesore shed."


"Sadly, the swallows have not returned."


Why is "hopefully" so unwelcome at the adverb party?


ObJoke: From The New Yorker a few years ago, to illustrate proper use of "hopefully:"


Dad (shaving):   Ouch! Damn!
Son:             What's wrong?
Dad:             I cut my chin!
Son (hopefully): Off?

Answer



I don't see anything wrong with the first example sentence using hopefully



"Hopefully, my ship is just over the horizon and due in real soon now."



In fact, I don't see why hopefully can't be used in place of any of the other adverbs in the other sentences mentioned.


IMHO, hopefully is welcome at all the adverb parties that I will be throwing.


-EDIT- To cite the related answer on this site about this usage of the word..



"It is prevalent enough to be considered correct"



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