Comment

Literally has been used as an intensifier for over 200 years. The Oxford English Dictionary includes the definition of figuratively. Jane Austen, F. Scott Fitzgerald, Henry David Thoreau, James Fenimore Cooper, James Joyce, Charles Dickens, and Mark Twain all used it that way in their writing.

source

Sort:hotnew top

octopus_ink@lemmy.ml ⁨1⁩ ⁨month⁩ ago
It is truly bizarre that one of the definitions of the word is literally the opposite of the primary definition of the word, however.

source
- maryjayjay@lemmy.world ⁨1⁩ ⁨month⁩ ago
  The dictionary is descriptive, not proscriptive. Language evolves
  
  source
  - octopus_ink@lemmy.ml ⁨1⁩ ⁨month⁩ ago
    I knew I’d receive that reply, and I know it to be true. It’s still very odd, as noted. I’m sure there are other examples where one definition contradicts another, but none immediately spring to mind.
    
    source
    maryjayjay@lemmy.world ⁨1⁩ ⁨month⁩ ago
    Here’s a fun list: dailywritingtips.com/75-contronyms-words-with-con…
    
    It literally includes literally 😉
    
    source