4 ms·
The issue is the incorrect usage of the word "literal".
by epgui 4y ago
The issue is the incorrect usage of the word "literal".
- nopzor 4y agothe word has literally been redefined :-/
- zimpenfish 4y agoNo, it hasn't, it's pretty much always been used for both (see https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=32271400 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=32271400 which contains references to the figurative use as far back as 1769.)
- dieselgate 4y agoso many people were misusing the word “literally” the Merriam-Webster dictionary definition expanded to include the “figurative exaggerated” usage of it. So I understand but it’s “technically” correct
- zimpenfish 4y agoFrom the link in https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=32271400 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=32271400, there's references as far back as 1769 where people were "misusing" the word "literally". It has basically never just meant "literal".
- wfme 4y agoThis comment is _literally_ the epitome of hn.
- skellera 4y agoOddly enough, literal in that context is emphasizing the point instead of… the literal meaning.
- solveit 4y agoTurns out exaggeration works by stating things that aren't strictly true. Who would've thought people could be so devious...
- akmarinov 4y agoBut what if he is though? Can’t prove that he isn’t, you just have to have faith.
- veilrap 4y ago"Literally" has always been used figuratively. https://blogs.illinois.edu/view/25/96439 https://blogs.illinois.edu/view/25/96439
- googlryas 4y agoLiterally literally means both literally and figuratively.
- eyelidlessness 4y agoI’m awed by how many permutations of this comment are possible and how few of those permutations could be considered incorrect.
- epgui 4y agoOkay, okay, I figuratively stand corrected, no need to further downvote! Mea culpa haha. :)