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Examples have never been my strong point, but even so, I suggest that more people use "pedanticism" than "pedantry," and I have rarely heard "literally" used in

Examples have never been my strong point, but even so, I suggest that more people use "pedanticism" than "pedantry," and I have rarely heard "literally" used in anything other manner than for emphasis. But I suspect we are more in agreement than otherwise. EDIT: Recently found: http://literally.barelyfitz.com/ http://literally.barelyfitz.com/ http://gizmodo.com/5422405/this-robot-jedi-will-literally-blow-your-mind http://gizmodo.com/5422405/this-robot-jedi-will-literally-bl... http://www.slate.com/id/2129105/ http://www.slate.com/id/2129105/

jacobolus 17y ago
> more people use "pedanticism" than "pedantry," Maybe this is a difference of geography? I’m from California and go to school in Boston, and I don’t know anyone who uses “pedanticism.” Anyway, I concede that literally is often used as an intensifier, even non-ironically. I like the end of that Slate article: > The one sensible criticism that can be made about the intensive use of literally is that it can often lead to confusing or silly-sounding results. In this case, the answer is simple: Don't write silly-soundingly. Some usage books even bother to make this point about literally. Then again, most usage advice could be reduced to one simple instruction: "Be clear." But that would be the end of a publishing category.