So here's a pet peeve: People use the word "literally" for emphasis. Here are some wonderful examples.
I thought--literally--I thought I was going to die.
(Actual thought: "This is very unpleasant.")
She literally flew across the finish line!
("She crossed the finish line very, very fast.")
I'm literally starving to death right now.
("I've very hungry.")
My arms were literally falling off.
("My arms were very sore.")
I literally couldn't sleep at all last night.
("I didn't sleep very well last night.")
My head is literally going to explode.
("I'm fairly certain that my head will not literally explode.")
And here's one from the New York Daily News:
"Rep. Anthony Weiner, a likely 2009 mayoral candidate, is pouring his heart into Hillary Clinton's White House bid - literally."
I also recommend a look at this entertaining article. But only if, you know, you're anxious to become so irritated your head literally explodes.
Be Gone, bin Laden
13 years ago
3 comments:
So I just watched part of a really stupid show and these models were going rappelling and she said, "it was so tight, I couldn't breathe, like I literally couldn't breathe."
and I thought that if she really couldn't breath the entire time she was going down a 120ft cliff, she'd be dead.
As an aspiring editor and usage expert, I absolutely appreciate this post.
You make me laugh. Literally.
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