I think all the hysteria over game hints is inherited from a few hints that actually had the possibility to be revealing.
For instance, 2007's game hint:
actually shows a possible configuration of game piece on its scoring target. It is not obvious by any means, but it was observed as a possibility.
Hints like this spurred on the idea that if you looked hard enough, you would get something advantageous.
However, I have never heard of a team that actually used a game hint - official or otherwise - to even attempt to gain a head start.