4 ms·

What does “literally brainwashes” mean? I don’t think “brainwashing” is actually a well defined concept. Can you link to an explanation that would clearly exclu

What does “literally brainwashes” mean? I don’t think “brainwashing” is actually a well defined concept. Can you link to an explanation that would clearly exclude persuasion?

xapata 4y ago
"Literally" means figuratively, now. In much popular usage, at least. "Figurative brain washing," is quite clear.
- waltbosz 4y ago
  I taught my children the correct usage of the word "literally", after we watched an irksome YouTube video in which the host made significant abuse of the word. Now whenever they hear someone say "literally", they double check with me: "Daddy, is (xyz) a figure of speech?" I find the behavior both cute and precocious.
  - antiterra 4y ago
    The battle has been lost and ‘literally’ lies with its siblings ‘very,’ ‘really,’ and ‘truly.’ I suspect ‘actually’ is in danger.
    - teddyh 4y ago
      Verily.
- croon 4y ago
  It's literally (figuratively) meant figuratively for literally (literally) hundreds of years, depending on context. I was always a language stickler growing up but am becoming more measured in most areas of life as I age and discover the subtle nuances of literally (figuratively) everything, and as long as I'm understanding someone figuratively (figuratively), I won't question their language.
sequoia 4y ago
I should clarify, I'm more interested in the use of "brainwashing" than the use of "literally" which I agree has entered common usage to mean figuratively.