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According to the dictionary, “literally” now also means “figuratively”
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pinkdragon
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According to the dictionary, “literally” now also means “figuratively”
by Ponee Sun Aug 25, 2013 11:31 am
Thursday, Aug 22, 2013 03:51 PM EDT
According to the dictionary, “literally” now also means “figuratively”
Thanks in part to the overuse of "literally," Merriam-Webster says the word can now mean its exact opposite. Huh?
(Credit: Wikimedia)
Much has been made of the use, misuse and overuse of the word “literally.”
Literally, of course, means something that is actually true: “Literally every pair of shoes I own was ruined when my apartment flooded.”
When we use words not in their normal literal meaning but in a way that makes a description more impressive or interesting, the correct word, of course, is “figuratively.”
But people increasingly use “literally” to give extreme emphasis to a statement that cannot be true, as in: “My head literally exploded when I read Merriam-Webster, among others, is now sanctioning the use of literally to mean just the opposite.”
Indeed, Ragan’s PR Daily reported last week that Webster, Macmillan Dictionary and Google have added this latter informal use of “literally” as part of the word’s official definition. The Cambridge Dictionary has also jumped on board.
How did this come to be? Mainstream use of “literally” to provide emphasis to a statement was aided in recent years, perhaps, with the help of a couple of popular sitcoms. Parks and Recreation’s Chris Traeger (Rob Lowe) extends his liberties with the word even further with his pronunciation (LIT-rally) and the frequent misuses of the word in “How I Met Your Mother” even helped inspire a drinking game. But I digress…
Webster’s first definition of literally is, “in a literal sense or matter; actually.” Its second definition is, “in effect; virtually.” In addressing this seeming contradiction, its authors comment:
“Since some people take sense 2 to be the opposition 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.”
So it’s okay to use literally to mean figuratively as long as you really, really, really need to do so? Hmph.
By Dana Coleman
http://www.salon.com/2013/08/22/according_to_the_dictionary_literally_now_also_means_figuratively_newscred/
According to the dictionary, “literally” now also means “figuratively”
Thanks in part to the overuse of "literally," Merriam-Webster says the word can now mean its exact opposite. Huh?
(Credit: Wikimedia)
Much has been made of the use, misuse and overuse of the word “literally.”
Literally, of course, means something that is actually true: “Literally every pair of shoes I own was ruined when my apartment flooded.”
When we use words not in their normal literal meaning but in a way that makes a description more impressive or interesting, the correct word, of course, is “figuratively.”
But people increasingly use “literally” to give extreme emphasis to a statement that cannot be true, as in: “My head literally exploded when I read Merriam-Webster, among others, is now sanctioning the use of literally to mean just the opposite.”
Indeed, Ragan’s PR Daily reported last week that Webster, Macmillan Dictionary and Google have added this latter informal use of “literally” as part of the word’s official definition. The Cambridge Dictionary has also jumped on board.
How did this come to be? Mainstream use of “literally” to provide emphasis to a statement was aided in recent years, perhaps, with the help of a couple of popular sitcoms. Parks and Recreation’s Chris Traeger (Rob Lowe) extends his liberties with the word even further with his pronunciation (LIT-rally) and the frequent misuses of the word in “How I Met Your Mother” even helped inspire a drinking game. But I digress…
Webster’s first definition of literally is, “in a literal sense or matter; actually.” Its second definition is, “in effect; virtually.” In addressing this seeming contradiction, its authors comment:
“Since some people take sense 2 to be the opposition 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.”
So it’s okay to use literally to mean figuratively as long as you really, really, really need to do so? Hmph.
By Dana Coleman
http://www.salon.com/2013/08/22/according_to_the_dictionary_literally_now_also_means_figuratively_newscred/
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Re: According to the dictionary, “literally” now also means “figuratively”
by pinkdragon Sun Aug 25, 2013 5:11 pm
What a coincidence....I literally just got off the phone with someone who literally said literally 47 times. I literally couldn't even focus on what they were saying because I was literally just counting all the times they said literally!
LIT-rally!
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Re: According to the dictionary, “literally” now also means “figuratively”
by Ponee Sun Aug 25, 2013 5:21 pm
I LITERALLY found that sooooo funny PinkDragon!
Don't you just hate when an obsessive personality grabs hold of particular word or phrase?
Don't you just hate when an obsessive personality grabs hold of particular word or phrase?
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Re: According to the dictionary, “literally” now also means “figuratively”
by Kevind53 Sun Aug 25, 2013 5:26 pm
It lt rally drives me crazy ... lit rally! 
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Re: According to the dictionary, “literally” now also means “figuratively”
by pinkdragon Sun Aug 25, 2013 5:27 pm
Two other ones are "like" and "you know"
Like you know how people, like, can't, you know, get out an entire, like, sentence, without, you know, saying "like" and "you know" every other word?
You know, Ponee and Kevind53??
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Re: According to the dictionary, “literally” now also means “figuratively”
by Kevind53 Sun Aug 25, 2013 5:41 pm
Here in Vermont a local one, especially with older folks is "yup yup." When you are telling them something, they will punctuate your sentences for you with that.... I guess that's to let yo u know they're listening ....
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Re: According to the dictionary, “literally” now also means “figuratively”
by PALMER01 Sun Aug 25, 2013 7:26 pm
You guys are crackin me up.
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Re: According to the dictionary, “literally” now also means “figuratively”
by Kevind53 Sun Aug 25, 2013 7:29 pm
yup yup ...
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Re: According to the dictionary, “literally” now also means “figuratively”
by aksafeone Sun Aug 25, 2013 8:14 pm
Yup, yup!!! Literally!!!
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Re: According to the dictionary, “literally” now also means “figuratively”
by wpsmit Sun Aug 25, 2013 9:55 pm
Well uh, I like totally, well uh agree totally with well uh all of like y'all!
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