Literally Will Blow Your Mind

[kingoffighters]

I could care less if your inferral is right.

[Compass]

lit·er·al·ly

–adverb
1. in the literal or strict sense: What does the word mean literally?

2. in a literal manner; word for word: to translate literally.

3. actually; without exaggeration or inaccuracy: The city was literally destroyed.

4. in effect; in substance; very nearly; virtually.

I got into this with someone on another board a couple years ago, and they pointed something out to me I have not been able to verify (for lack of trying) beyond the above dictionary.com reference.

Apparently enough people were misusing the word that its definition is in the process of mutating. Indeed, as you can see in #4 up there, according to dictionary.com at least, it's a-okay to use "literally" when you really mean "not literally."

So basically, the word has now literally lost all meaning.

[Doc Holliday]

Fuck you.

[Compass]

Literally?

[MarkRyan]

So basically, the word has now literally lost all meaning.

Literally the worst news I've heard all day. Honestly, both definitions #3 and #4 annoy me. However, I don't think this unfortunate redefinition conflicts with my original examples of misuse.

[Shine]

That is literally the most tragic thing I've ever heard.

[Advocate]

If its now literal to use the word Literally, when you mean "Not literally". Then when will knife be spelled Nife or Sword, soard?

Also: This thread sucks.

Figuratively.

[MarkRyan]

...or Sword, soard?

Only assholes fail to pronounce the W.

True story.

[Shine]

Hell, even I pronounce it. No fake.

[kedawa]

I've never heard anyone pronounce the w in real life or in media.