Owning the Earnest

A few years ago, I first remember hearing it: the use of "earnest" as an insult.

ear·nest
1 [ur-nist] Show IPA adjective
1. serious in intention, purpose, or effort; sincerely zealous: an earnest worker.

2. showing depth and sincerity of feeling: earnest words; an earnest entreaty.

3. seriously important; demanding or receiving serious attention.

I remember feeling shocked, then flashing to embarrassed, because I am quite often seriously zealous.

Then the emotion turned to anger, and...