Is it OK to say that using the word “literally” for emphasis bugs me—a little? I don’t get enraged and break furniture when I hear it, but it does sound wrong. I get over it in a couple of days, literally without taking any hard drugs.
The problem is that some dictionaries say we can use “literally” as an intensifier, like “really” or even “virtually”. I won’t mention which dictionaries (MERRIAM-WEBSTER CAN YOU BELIEVE IT? GOOD GAAWD ALMIGHTEEE!).
But the on-line version of Merriam-Webster almost apologizes for the extension of the use of “literally” (they call it Sense 2): “Sense 2 is common and not at all new but has been frequently criticized as an illogical misuse. It is pure hyperbole intended to gain emphasis, but it often appears in contexts where no additional emphasis is necessary.”
It then goes on at length with examples of the so-called misuse, almost as if to justify the practice.
I admit I’m literally no angel when it comes to writing. I break all kinds of rules. I used to write “begs the question” when I actually meant “raises the question.” The whole begging the question thing actually got started with Aristotle and his thoughts on circular reasoning. He was always causing problems like that.
Anyway, people get on rants about using the word “literally” in the original sense (exact equivalence) as opposed to using in the idiotic and totally wrong way of expressing emphasis.
Throw down dude, you literally can’t use the word “literally” that way!
You can find articles on the web which literally make fun of those who use the word “literally” as though they had cat litter for brains. Some experts think they’ve trounced the “literally” lovers by saying that the use of the word for emphasis has been around since the 17th century.
Some might reply “That may be true, but you are literally barking mad!”
I literally cringe whenever I hear the word “literally” because I know it’s not going to be used in the way I expect. No kidding, if you were in the room with me whenever that word is used as an intensifier by someone, you would literally see me cringing.
I am literally done with this subject for now.
Go Retire Psychiatrist 