It means sloppy English.
The phrase has come to mean "something of great significance". But exactly what does that mean? A planetary geologist might find mineralogical confirmation that a rock must have formed under water of great significance. A biologist might find a lump of coal historically significant. For a lay person, a picture of a sea shell or a fossilized leaf might be what it takes to raise eyebrows.
I want to see a piece of worked flint, preferably, a projectile point.