Onto my next grammar soap box is the use (and abuse) of the word literally. It has been described as a four letter “like” in the English language. That’s really what it has become.
The original use and definition was to use literally as actually; without exaggeration or inaccuracy. Literally is now used as hyperbole, to exaggerate or emphasize what we are expressing:
“I literally peed my pants laughing…”
Really? Did you ACTUALLY pee your pants? Maybe you did in which case you win the correct use of the word award. I am going to take a stab in the dark and say you didn’t actually pee your pants. Now give back your award.
If you can say this sentence you are dead wrong on the use of the word:
“I literally DIED when…”
If you don’t get the joke we literally have a problem.
Source: http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/literally
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