Your ticket example is perfect because not having your ticket taken is the official record of whether or not you saw the film. You know you saw it, but you believe the official record makes your experience moot.

The soccer example isn't quite how I'd use it. I would more likely say, “I technically scored a goal last week since they counted it as mine, but it went off a defensive player, so actually they scored it.”

I've been trying harder to walk away from arguments this week, but it really hurts to believe that I know someone is incorrect and that I have the right answer, and yet I'm letting them remain incorrect for the good of our mental sanity.

“While you *actually* can acquire photoshop by illegal download, *technically* you did not acquire the piece of software.”

Perhaps you disagree, but maybe my semantics are wrong! Other examples I find myself [wrongfully?] using day to day:

“I actually saw the film last weekend, but they didn't collect my ticket so technically I didn't.”

“You [actually/physically] scored a goal, but [technically] it didn't count.”

Your point about new lexicon migrating our usage of the word from “skilled tradesman's insight” to “legal fine-print” is a good one though. Nice post! I know that you like arguing for the good facets; it can also strengthen relationships in a unique way! Too much can be a strain though, and certainly you must admit some people don't like to argue. Everything in moderation, including moderation!

You're probably correct about technicality being the origin of technically in that sense, but I couldn't find any sources that cited it in my brief and webby research. I often wish the world were more black and white, but just by examining the nature of light, it becomes readily apparent that two seemingly opposite states can coexist. It makes it very difficult to divine reality without serious and lengthy investigation and discussion.