"Based" post-modern vernacular

[lforrest]

There is the slang used these days, either ironically or unironically to express agreement. "True, based on fact." Sort of like a secular 'amen.'

But its origins show it as being short for unbased. Which derives from 'worthless'. Stemming from a reduction from the base quality of something.

So it's as though the language has been corrupted. 'Based' is based.