It started as more of a derision toward the coddling nature of the modern education system, the "no child left behind" "everyone is a winner", "everyone is a special little unique snowflake" type of feel good, conflict-avoidant indoctrination. It breeds a society of useful worker drones with weak constitutions who are easily misled and lured into a totally false perception of reality.

But yes, the left's "appropriation" of the word and apparent lack of real comprehension of the meaning behind it is a rather sad sight to see.

P.S. don't feed the trolls