3 ms·
at what point does a word get used so commonly in an incorrect form that it becomes, literally, the new definition?
by eagletusk 10y ago
at what point does a word get used so commonly in an incorrect form that it becomes, literally, the new definition?
- dave_sullivan 10y agoWe're past that point. A slang synonym of "literally" is "very". It suggests something is so similar to the thing it's compared against, it ought to literally be that thing. It's a humorous exaggeration, humorous because the object in question is obviously not the other object. No doubt, some users of this form are unaware of its original definition. Yet others are fully aware of the original definition and thus use it to upset pedants on Internet forums. Language evolves and always will; does anyone think the English dictionary arrived on the scene mostly finished? If people understand your meaning, it must be some kind of language.
- zodiac 10y agoWhat word currently means what "literally" used to mean (ie non-metaphorically)? I'm fine with words changing their meanings but in this case it seems to needlessly leave a hole in the language.
- maxerickson 10y agoLiterally. Literally literally means literally in many contexts.
- zodiac 10y agoHmm, what word means it unambiguously?
- maxerickson 10y agoWords like exact and actual (and unambiguous; compare the literal truth to the unambiguous truth). Of course, they can be used sarcastically or ironically or whatever so the meaning can't be unambiguous.