Words in the wrong context

[DanaC]

I understand about the whole 'living language' argument. But it seems to me that, in cases like these, the language is the worse for it. Words that once had a precise and useful meaning are now more bland and less useful.

But anxious does have a precise, slightly different meaning when used in place of eager. I am anxious to ... as opposed to I am eager to... suggests a difference in how that anticipation is being experienced. Eager is a positive anticipation, anxious suggests that the experience is less positive.