Here's a little ground work for my stick figure rant today.
Literally–adverb
1. in the literal or strict sense: What does the word mean literally?
2. in a literal manner; word for word: to translate literally.
3. actually; without exaggeration or inaccuracy: The city was literally destroyed.
4. in effect; in substance; very nearly; virtually.
Usage note:
Since the early 20th century, literally has been widely used as an intensifier meaning “in effect, virtually,” a sense that contradicts the earlier meaning “actually, without exaggeration”: The senator was literally buried alive in the Iowa primaries. The parties were literally trading horses in an effort to reach a compromise. The use is often criticized; nevertheless, it appears in all but the most carefully edited writing.
Confession time. The misuse of the word literally drives me crazy!! How can a word that means one thing have a usage that means the exact opposite? It doesn't make any sense. So often people say literally when they actually mean figuratively, but I can't get the image of what they've said out of my head. And usually it's not pleasant.
I'm going to illustrate my point here. I literally am. Here are a few examples, and I know you've all heard these before.
I'm going to illustrate my point here. I literally am. Here are a few examples, and I know you've all heard these before.
Someone says, "I literally fell to pieces when it happened."
Thanks a lot random person. Now I have to walk around with a scene from Mississippi Chainsaw Massacre in my head all day.
Or how about these?
"I literally died when I heard the news."
Great now I'm thinking about The Ring!
"I'm literally going to kill myself if he doesn't call."
What horror movie doesn't have a terrifying phone call?
"I literally had a heart attack when it happened."
"My heart literally burst from excitement."
There's just no way any of this ends well.
See? Literally and horrible death go hand in hand. You say literally, and I see this:
Sorry if this is morbid, but it's not pleasant for me either. So lets just agree that you won't ever misuse the word literally. Or maybe you shouldn't use the word at all. I rarely do even when it might be considered appropriate. Like today. I would like to say that misuse of the word literally is literally a pet peeve of mine, but if I did this is what would come to mind.
You guessed it, as soon as my pet, Peeve drinks the water... Gremlins.
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