Taking Issue with 'Issues'

I rather think I have moaned about this before. But the problem (or issue, perhaps) is getting worse and worse. My email provider has just told me:

"We have tested your email account and found no issues".

They mean, I take it, "and have found nothing wrong". But the English word 'issue' does not mean 'fault'.

Basically, it means the result or outcome of something: so it can mean the result of wedlock, ie children; or the result of publication (issuing a a magazine or a writ or a decree); or an outcome of any action or situation; or more specifically, in law, a matter to be debated or argued in order to reach a proper outcome : hence the phrase 'the matter at issue'.

It isn't the problem itself that is the 'issue' - it's the discussion, the solution and the outcome.

But, as usual with these clumsy mishandlings of words, the term has been adopted over many years by a populace that has heard it, misunderstood it, misused it and passed it on. And that, curiously, is how a language evolves.

So have you an issue with that ? Oooh.

NB Modern synonyms for issue appear to include: problem, matter, disagreement, bone of contention, complaint, disagreement, difficulty

Taking Issue with 'Issues'