I agree and will take it further. We don’t even need to posit a change in the meaning of the word, we need only assume that when people use the word literally, they do not mean the word “literally” literally, they mean it figuratively.
Who says you have to use the word “literally” literally? You don’t have to say the word “loudly” loudly!
As a fellow linguistics student here, completely agree. I randomly get those ‘grammar nazis’ like “doesnt that sort of stuff upset you?” like nahh man that stuff is fascinating! Don’t lump me in with you, pleaseee.
Back when I was in grade school, there were kids saying “as long as you know what I mean, it doesn’t matter”. If a word means two different/conflicting things, how can we possibly know what you mean? See also: bimonthly.
Former linguistics grad student here: The meaning of “literal” is changing, and sentences like “That guy is literally 500 years old” are correct.
[Waves from the other hill] I will never accept that usage of “literal” as correct.
Sees you from a few hills away: Oh my gosh we’re literally right next to each other! 😜
I agree and will take it further. We don’t even need to posit a change in the meaning of the word, we need only assume that when people use the word literally, they do not mean the word “literally” literally, they mean it figuratively.
Who says you have to use the word “literally” literally? You don’t have to say the word “loudly” loudly!
As a fellow linguistics student here, completely agree. I randomly get those ‘grammar nazis’ like “doesnt that sort of stuff upset you?” like nahh man that stuff is fascinating! Don’t lump me in with you, pleaseee.
So, what’s the new word for what “literal” used to mean?
Honestly, it’s also “literally”. Humans are complex lol.
Back when I was in grade school, there were kids saying “as long as you know what I mean, it doesn’t matter”. If a word means two different/conflicting things, how can we possibly know what you mean? See also: bimonthly.
This makes me irrationally mildly upset.
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Yeah, I haven’t heard anyone say it like that in literally, like, 500 years!
Haha good point. Come to think of it I haven’t heard it in a while, but I’m also not exactly running in circles where it would be used frequently.
I hear it all the time in my circles.