> > > Gaack. Anybody using "presently" to
> >>mean "now" is using the word ignorantly and
> >>incorrectly. I've personally never heard
> >>anyone use it to mean "now," but if a lot of
> >>people here do, it's an abundant mistake, not a
> >>proper alternate meaning.
> >
> >
> > How to put this? Um.... no.
> >
> > I own literally dozens of dictionaries and
> >usage guides, and almost all say the same
> > thing. A few quotes follow.
>
> What about the OED? For my money, if it aint in the OED, it aint English.
>
> And anyway, if you're trying to get Sam to admit he's wrong, well, it won't happen. :-P
>
> -- Dave

What does "presently" mean? It means whatever the majority of English speakers believe it means. Right now it's a word in transition. Some people use it to mean "now", others use it to mean "soon." Dictionaries can't keep up with the rate of language change, and they're only a guide to current usage. If half the world suddenly decided tomorrow that "presently" means "light orange in colour", and started using it as such, that's what it would mean, no matter what the OED says.
The meaning of each word in the English (or any other) language was not set in stone for all time on the day of creation. There isn't any "correct" meaning, there's only the accepted current meaning - which can vary between places or cultures.
Of course, knowing this to be true does not mean that I have any less desire to strangle people who use "presently" to mean THE WRONG THING.

Brunnen-"and MOMENTARILY too"G