[hfuyf65]

If they resonate well, it either means the population as whole thinks it is accurate or that the population as a wholr is wrong.

Either is possible, but I think you are wrong about Carlin being wrong. Language defines the quality of our conversations. If we can't be honest with it, some nuance will be lost.

[constantly]

There are many things in the middle of the false dichotomy you’ve presented. Such as “people don’t really think about it deeply and it sounds superficially good so they like it” or “people laugh because he’s a comedian but don’t take it seriously because of same.”

[hfuyf65]

Sure. We are not threading new ground here; this has been covered better by people much smarter than me. I am simplifying for the sake of brevity.

It may help to think of it as a range.