sjm, I completely agree with you. Whilst I accept that one's facial expression does make a statement, the use of that word in this context, especially, as you so rightly say, in the second cae, is anathema to me.
I sincerely hope that, a) it is an idiosyncracy of that writer, and b) that it doesn't catch on!

I hope that your virtual abandonment of typewriting doesn't mean that your posts will all be dragon on!