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A dictionary having a definition in it isn't evidence a given usage is good. The primary mission of most dictionaries is to help people understand language they
by yamtaddle 4y ago
A dictionary having a definition in it isn't evidence a given usage is good. The primary mission of most dictionaries is to help people understand language they encounter, which may include ill-advised-to-use, misleading, ironic, code- or register-specific, or slang senses of words.
In this case, it was not a good idea to use the word "literally" this way, in this place. The clearest sign that it wasn't a good idea is that this discussion about the word is happening.
- JasonCEC 4y agoThe literal literary contestation between descriptive and prescriptive dictionaries is alive and well[0], though the war has been lost, and your fellow prescriptivist have yet to surrender. [0] https://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2018/08/the-draconian-dictionary-is-back/566660/ https://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2018/08/the-d...