This is literally the worst thing ever.
- Thread starter Queen Michael
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My only concern is, if literally now means "figuratively", then what's the new word for "literally"? I don't mind words changing, but if we don't have a replacement handy for the old definition, then we've effectively handicapped ourselves as users of language.
The definition hasn't changed, the dictionary has merely been updated to note that, in informal contexts, people use the world "literally" for hyperbole or emphasis.sageoftruth said:
I've had to stop being annoyed by people using certain expressions and words fundamentally wrong. It still bothers me, but it seems people are hellbent on mistreating language. A while back I encountered a particular case in a youtube-comment. It seemed there was actually some interesting info in the post, but the wording was a mess, and punctuation non-existent, so I was so bold as to tell him that. The response I received was that he couldn't be bothered to type properly just because it wasn't school-related.
And that, I believe, is terrible. Why would anyone think that just because it's on the internet it's okay to not give a fuck about what you're typing, as long as you're typing something that looks like words? Does it not make sense to write something that doesn't have to be deciphered by the recipient before the message becomes clear? Or maybe I'm reading too much into it.
On-topic: Butchering of language is nothing new. The norwegian word for hold onto and roof is identical (tak), and this happened sometime in the 16th century. Semantics, I suppose, but now a particular word-sound is on the brink of disappearing, which will cause the word for chain, and one of the less offensive words for vagina to end up becoming identical. This, to me, sounds like a problem for the future.
And that, I believe, is terrible. Why would anyone think that just because it's on the internet it's okay to not give a fuck about what you're typing, as long as you're typing something that looks like words? Does it not make sense to write something that doesn't have to be deciphered by the recipient before the message becomes clear? Or maybe I'm reading too much into it.
On-topic: Butchering of language is nothing new. The norwegian word for hold onto and roof is identical (tak), and this happened sometime in the 16th century. Semantics, I suppose, but now a particular word-sound is on the brink of disappearing, which will cause the word for chain, and one of the less offensive words for vagina to end up becoming identical. This, to me, sounds like a problem for the future.
That was the best first response to a thread I have seen in ages.Zak757 said:
Thank you.
OT: No. Don't want. End of discussion for me.
Wow, I need to get out more. I literally didn't know that people did this. That this was a thing that needed a definition nor a situation to generate ire over.
Not sure how I feel about it. If we start to include the sarcastic and hyperbolic definitions of words, where does it end? Logically I can't tell you because logic seems to have been abandoned here.
I am a fan of logic when I have time to think about it, so I guess I am again' it.
Not sure how I feel about it. If we start to include the sarcastic and hyperbolic definitions of words, where does it end? Logically I can't tell you because logic seems to have been abandoned here.
I am a fan of logic when I have time to think about it, so I guess I am again' it.
I love this, anything that gets grammar nazis upset is pleasing to me. All I want now is to have the phrase "could care less" officially recognized so I can watch more big butt hurt tears and laugh.