I've never understood the rule against "hopefully." As Chris and Brian note, "happily" and various other adverbs are used in the same manner without criticism, so why is "hopefully" singled out? Besides, the argument that "hopefully" is an ambiguous modifier is simply wrong. I've never heard anyone saying "Hopefully it will not rain" being understood, even for an instant, as wishing for or predicting hopeless rain.

Just don't get me started on 'beg the question'.

Roger, I have only three objections to the misuse of "hopefully":

1. It is unnecessary
2. It is ugly
3. It is illiterate

Apart from that, it's fine.

Why not, Basil? Or is that begging the question?

No, but your three objections beg the question -- especially the third.

Dear Roger,

It was very kind of you to invite us to dinner. As you know, the journey is rather a complicated one, and we don't know how long it will take us, but it would be foolish to pass up the opportunity to sample your gastronomic cuisine, especially if you manage to find the ingredients for your renowned Lobster Thermidor. We shall be arriving hopefully at about 7 pm.

Regards,
Brian

I love Word Nerd Subcommittee hearings!

I used to say I'd rather die than write "hopefully", but as I grew older I changed my mind.

As for me, Janice, I never really wanted to grow older, but didn't care for the alternative.

Hopefully, it is never better to travel hopelessly than to arrive, and of course the blessed satnav has put an end to most hopless travel... hopefully, or indeed hopeably.

Re lobsters, just to say I shall soon be enjoying the blessed crustacean along with my family, an Irish poet and his wife, a British journalist in our splendid tradition, at the Lobster Shack in Whitstable looking out over the noble Thames Estuary at the Isle of Sheppey when the King of Kent lies sleeping with his hundred knights.

Not Thermidor, however, a revolutionary concoction.

I would hate for you to arrive with low expectations regarding my Lobster Thermidor. Hopefully you will arrive hopefully. Or is it, I am full of hope that you will arrive full of hope? Happily it doesn't matter.