What is a word you feel that too many people use?
Alright, folks, gather ’round. It’s time for a linguistic intervention. Today, we’re tackling a word that’s been abused, misused, and quite frankly, driven into the ground: “literally.”
Now, I’m not some stuffy grammarian wagging my finger at every misplaced modifier. But this one… oh, this one gets under my skin.
Let’s start with a quick refresher. “Literally” means “in a literal sense; exactly.” It’s used to emphasize that something is not figurative or metaphorical.
So, when you say, “I literally died laughing,” unless you’re writing this from the afterlife, you’re probably exaggerating. (And if you are writing from the afterlife, well, that’s a whole different blog post.)
The problem is, “literally” has become the go-to intensifier for just about everything. People use it to describe experiences that are clearly not literal.
- “I’m literally starving.” (Unless you haven’t eaten in days, you’re probably just hungry.)
- “My head is literally exploding.” (If this were true, you wouldn’t be here to tell us about it.)
- “I’m literally drowning in work.” (Unless you’re a scuba diver with a serious paperwork problem, you’re probably just busy.)
It’s gotten to the point where “literally” has lost all meaning. It’s like the boy who cried wolf, except instead of a wolf, it’s just a bunch of hyperbole.
So, what’s the harm in using “literally” incorrectly? Well, for one thing, it makes you sound silly. It’s like wearing a t-shirt that says, “I don’t understand how words work.”
But more importantly, it dilutes the power of language. When we overuse “literally,” we rob it of its impact. It’s like adding too much spice to a dish – eventually, you can’t taste anything else.
So, let’s make a pact. Let’s retire “literally” from our everyday vocabulary. Let’s find other ways to express ourselves, ways that are accurate and meaningful.
And if you do find yourself tempted to use “literally,” just ask yourself: “Is this really happening in a literal sense?” If the answer is no, then find another word.
Your vocabulary – and your listeners – will thank you.
