In a comments thread, a reader objected to my use of the term "skeptic" when applied to debunkers. He argued that the word denotes someone with an open mind who is simply looking for good evidence. In reply, I said that while this was what the word originally meant, today it refers mainly to debunkers. Language changes; the meaning of words is not set in stone.
Ruminating on this, I came up with a little poem.
Suppose tomorrow we all agreed to
Use "elephant" to mean "mosquito."
In language, usage is king,
So before long you’d feel the sting
Of the pesky elephant.
The word’s other meaning – irrelevant.
Campers would carry elephant spray
To keep the thirsty critters at bay.
Stores would be stocked with insect repellant,
Each can emblazoned with the word "elephant."
But what of the big beast, you say.
Would it go nameless? Nay!
There’s a backup term:
"Pachyderm."