Linguistically it's an awkward case. Currently, "debunked" (see also: "busted") is just the latest version of the phrase "scientists say X." The literal semanti

Linguistically it's an awkward case. Currently, "debunked" (see also: "busted") is just the latest version of the phrase "scientists say X." The literal semantics and how it's actually used in practice are polar opposites. But "re-bunked" still sound like false information. Right now the words are mainly used as a cheap way to sound like Carl Sagan or Mythbusters without any of the deep knowledge and research. "De-debunked" IMO gets the message across, but also highlights the absurdity.