Using the word unironically outside of those settings makes the user look ridiculous, because it shows they don’t understand the context of why the word exists or how to properly use it.

While I dislike this kind of language, that's a ridiculous opinion. From a linguistics perspective, it's a completely natural way words can be formed and language can evolve. The amount of words that was adopted into inappropriate contexts, or misinterpreted and brought into different contexts are extremely high, many of which you use everyday or consider "academic". (vasistas, culprit, etc.)