I hate word abuse, Pt. II
Alright, every time someone says the word 'literally', I want to punch them in the face (curse you, social etiquette). I see it on tv all the time, and I've had coworkers stand around and use it in conversation, as if popping the word off makes them seem more scientific or serious than they actually are. "I literally died laughing" really doesn't mean that you died laughing because you wouldn't be telling me about it. To misquote VGI: literally is the new totally (which is the old very).
- lit·er·al·ly
- Pronunciation:
- \ˈli-tə-rə-lē, ˈli-trə-lē, ˈli-tər-lē\
- Function:
- adverb
- Date:
- 1533
1
: in a literal sense or manner : actually <took the remark literally> <was literally insane>
2
: in effect : virtually <will literally turn the world upside down to combat cruelty or injustice — Norman Cousins>
usage
Since some people take sense 2 to be the opposite of sense 1, it has
been frequently criticized as a misuse. Instead, the use is pure
hyperbole intended to gain emphasis, but it often appears in contexts
where no additional emphasis is necessary.
(courtesy of Merriam Webster)
(courtesy of Merriam Webster)
Comments
my boss pronounces the word supposedly as "supposeBLY". it drives me up the damn wall. and i can't say anything, 'cause, well, you know. boss and all.