Come on, I read a post a while back about people misusing this word, and now I realize just how bad it is. Without going to look up a formal definition, I can safely tell everyone here that when most people use the word “literally”, they should instead just use “actually”, “totally”, “really” or “absolutely”. One thing is for certain, when using the word ‘literally’, you need to use an idiomatic expression, like bled dry, kicked the bucket, jumped the gun, or in my example, took root.
If you are correct in your usage, it will imply that what is said AFTER the word “literally” happened literally and figuratively. So, when coffee spread throughout Africa via the civet cat, I can say: “The civet cat carried coffee cherries in its digestive tract from Central Africa to Ethiopia where the plant quite literally took root and to this day still thrives.” You see how the “literally” works with this example? It is reinforcing the fact that the coffee seeds took root both figuratively and literally. Figuratively because when something “takes root”, it establishes origins, and literally because the seeds become trees after growing roots that supply nutrients.
So let’s be better at our language, or forever speak like you haven’t finished school. —Literally
This article appears in Feb 10-16, 2011.
I actually liked this. And I learned that coffee is literally shit. Although I really feel as if I can’t live without it. I totally appreciate the time and effort.
Now, I’m afraid:
Let your flaming being! (thanks anyway :D)
I later looked up the correct usage, and now I’m not so sure I’m right.
Anyways, it’s overused, and thus, misused.
10-4
I’ve actually never noticed this word misused before. Now I’m afraid I’ll hear it everywhere. That’s okay though because I don’t care anyway.
I think I read a bitch post about this a year ago.
I heard it all the time too, people over use the word and thus all meaning has been lost. It can now be used in the place of “like” and “honestly” and soon “omg”.
FUCK!
jesus fuck, i’ll have a double dose whatever this o.p. is on, literally.
What about “I literally took a shit on his lawn” if you want to make absolutely clear that the person doesn’t mistake the literal action of shitting on someone’s lawn as an exaggeration or a metaphor. I use it like that all the time and I don’t consider it misuse.
Listen, it is what it is. LOL.
Snoop,
Your use is correct, I was mistaken from the beginning. What I’m getting at now is how often people say “literally” instead of something like truthfully, honestly, clearly, totally, obviously, absolutely, blah blah..
You’ve all overheard the high school and first year stories at the cafes and between class:
“Oh my god, that was literally the most boring date I’ve ever been on.”
For god sakes, just LEAVE IT OUT of that sentence and others like it.. Totally (literally) unnecessary use of the word.
I am now literally, totally, really, anecdotally, spatially and figuratively confused…
Oh yeah, well that I can get behind I guess.
I use it in front of large numbers a lot in the same way mentioned above, because large numbers are things people exaggerate all the time. Like, “I ate a million cookies yesterday” fuck off no you didn’t. So I feel the need when using a large number in a sentence to say “literally (inset large number)” so it’s not mistaken as an exaggeration. Especially in cases when the largity (how do you feel about made up words?) of that large number is important to the point I’m making.
Kudos cptstubing, self correction and admitting one’s mistakes is rare on LTWWB and the internet in general. People seem more concerned with appearing right than actually being right. Not that I was trying to prove you wrong, I honestly just spat words out without reading any of the previous comments in this case not realizing who the OP was. My bad.
I really need to get better and out of bed, me + sick = too many comments and over-thinking shit on LTWWB.
blAH
no rosie, i think you have it just right…use different words—>bipeds (except for that gorilla)
==I use it like that all the time and I don’t consider it misuse.==
You’re the one who shit on my lawn, aren’t you?
LOL
I am shocked you haven’t linked this yet:
http://theoatmeal.com/comics/literally
i really liked that rainbow steam roller notso. way fucking cool.
Shit, that is a great cartoon!
Thanks NotsoNTH!
Hahaha yes. There’s also a site somewhere that lists misuses of the word literally. (I forget the URL though)
eragh.. i thought this was pretty funny but your last line drove me crazy. Contrary to what english majors think, english is not the only major out there. Those of us who studied sciences, engineering, mathematics.. we can misuse the whole blessed language and it’s still fairly clear we finished a hell of a lot of school 😉 I studied computer science so i didn’t have to condescend to communicate with human beings anymore.
Of course.. here i am. Writing comments. On the coast. Fail.
Funny bitch though. Very funny.
OP it was funny.. the other day, someone on facebook is all like “I am literally exhausted” so i reply with “That’s funny. I’m figuratively exhausted.”
They didn’t get it.
Sting was right. Syncronicity is everywhere. An animal rescue site had just posted three post about Civet cats and coffee
http://www.portorico.com/store/civet.html
Way to go OP!
Painey posted this a little while ago, but in keeping with the synchonicity theme…
http://boston.grubstreet.com/Civet%20LolCa…
I once heard a British Cabinet minister on the BBC say (I can’t remember anymore about what), “I was literally beside myself.”
Should I link the Stephen Fry video again, I think I should!
This one goes out to you OP
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J7E-aoXLZGY
Ah, Stephen Fry. It doesn’t get any better, literally!
Thanks Donk!
I’m dizzy and close to vomiting.
I enjoy listening to Stephen Fry, but no more kinetic typography for me please!
yes, i agree mr. farmer, i feel like i’ve just watched the blair witch project. merci donk i love words, and that movie was awful^^
Good one Donk. I loves me some Stephen Fry!