Do you sometimes think that people who don't understand a language should just keep their trap shut until they've learned what the words mean?  And this time I'm not just bashing the Americans, there's far too many native speakers of UK English who make this particular mistake.

I've watched several motorcycle rebuild/restoration videos lately, many of them done by young chaps who weren't even a wriggle in their father's testicles when the bike was manufactured.  If they've only ever owned or ridden modern bikes they can be excused not recognising every part.

But why is every mystery component described as being 'very unique'.

Unique is unique.  (A genuine one-off.)  It doesn't need, or in any way benefit from the modifier.

On the other hand it is fun listening to their surprise when they realise some older bikes - with a magneto - don't need a battery to run, and that ignition and lighting are, usually, two completely different systems.

But, to be fair, they're no more bewildered than I'd be when faced with a series of little black box 'rider aids' and 'engine management' systems which are supposed to take care of everything.

None of this excuses 'very unique' though  ;-)

Gyppo

Of course you can't modify unique.  It can't be very unique any more than it can be slightly unique.  I have no idea what people are doing during those 12 years of compulsory education, very often extended to late teens or early twenties and sometimes even longer, that pupils leave unable to speak their native language accurately.  NOTHING ON THE CURRICULUM IS AS IMPORTANT.