Since it’s widely accepted that the word “literally” can be used to add emphasis, we need another word that can be used when you want to make it clear that you really mean “literally” in the original sense.
“No cap fr fr”
Isn’t that just figuratively?
Had to scroll down 40 posts before this appeared.
Literally?
No, actually 32.
It is
Actually, though.
Configulatory
Sounds like a perfectly cromulent word.
Once I found out that that the definition of literally has literally been changed to “literally, but sometimes figuratively”, I’ve switched to objectively and subjectively when describing things, which aren’t quite the same but I literally don’t have a word anymore that means literally.
So instead of literally you could use objectively. I like that no one is going to use objectively as slang because it’s kind of a clunky, obtuse word that doesn’t literally roll off the tongue.
People already are using objectively the same way as literally.
Literally literally
Actually?
I quite properly literally just wish we didn’t have a population that followed illiterate Kardashian misuse of the word.
It has been used that way for hundreds of years so we can’t blame it on those social parasites.
Probably. But it seems it exploded after that stupid show.
I only rarely heard it misused before those maroons (and their ilk) popularized the misuse.
It would be subject to the same fate.
Reminds me of biohazard symbols, they need to be recognisable but only used for their intended purpose.
https://99percentinvisible.org/article/biohazard-symbol-designed-to-be-memorable-but-meaningless/you beat me to it in fewer words
“Like actually literally, for realz”
it’s widely accepted that the word “literally” can be used to add emphasis.
NO, the word literally used figuratively to “add emphasis” is only used by ignorants that want to use words without knowing the meaning. we need to stop this.
Language evolves.
But at what cost? Literally :p
“Ignorants” is literally not a word
I’m fine with descriptivism on theory, but it sure seems wrong in the cases where the word changes meaning due to people misunderstanding/misusing the word. That’s not a a word gaining a new meaning, it’s losing meaning.
The other one I need a replacement for is “begs the question” since so many people have misused that one too.
Words that mean “in fact” have been turning into “for emphasis” for literally a really very long time.
Edit: really means “in reality”, and very means “in truth”.
“widely accepted”
Yeah, no. People who use it incorrectly simply don’t understand language or meaning. Just because there’s a lot of people who misuse the word doesn’t mean it’s widely accepted. A lot of people believe in a god, doesn’t make it true.
Thats not how language works
Yes it is. Language and meaning don’t simply change in 10-20 years unless forced upon (such as a conqueror forcing culture). Neologisms are a thing, and that’s fine (though I would argue “bling” is a garbage word :) ), but using “literally” to mean “not literally” is redefining the whole purpose of the word in such a short context of time simply because of ignorance. Therefore, I assert what I argued already – it’s not widely accepted – just widely misused.
The misuse of language is literally one of the primary ways language evolves
Language and meaning don’t simply change in 10-20 years unless forced upon.
As the kids say: fam this is dumb af.
Languages change all the time, kids practically make it their duty to introduce new words. “Bad” words become fine, others become real curse words you can’t say without being branded a pos.
Also literally has had the double meaning since 1700
If we come up with something in this thread, I’ll be here to corrupt its meaning by misusing it.
Why? Does fungus need a reason to give you jock itch?
“Unequivocally”
