Consistent with how language works. Words have partial overlaps and “subset” relations all the time. In the case of less and fewer, there isn’t even really a p

Consistent with how language works. Words have partial overlaps and “subset” relations all the time. In the case of less and fewer, there isn’t even really a problem, because there are very few cases where using less when fewer would (also) be appropriate leads to confusion. (Otherwise the same distinction would surely also exist for more.) I’m afraid, the only real “problem” is that for people who are accustomed to the distinction, using the “wrong” one gives a nails-on-chalkboard sensation.