Today on LetThemTalk we're going to talk about how to use and how not to use
the word LITERALLY it's a controversial word at the moment and there is a lot of
disagreement about the correct usage. So this is the controversy; some people say
that the word LITERALLY only has one true definition and that is that the word
means in a literal sense. What I'm about to say is true
word-for-word even though it might sound unbelievable
it's true. For example, "he went on the avocado diet and ate literally just
avocado for six weeks." So in this sentence the word literally means it's
hard to believe it's true by its true word for word. "The shock of the breakup
was so great she literally went grey in one week." It's true I'll show you
the pictures. So we need a word in English like this because in everyday
conversation when we speak we frequently use metaphors we use figures of speech
we exaggerate (I've told you a million times not to exaggerate) so we need a word that
says, hold on I'm not exaggerating here this is exactly how it is. Some other
people say yes that's ok but there is a second meaning of literally when we
use it for emphasis so NOT literally but figuratively precisely the opposite of
meaning one. for example "it literally took me forever to find my keys." It didn't
take you forever this use of LITERALLY is figurative it's used as an
intensifier for emphasis "The joke was so funny I literally died
laughing" Nobody died just used for
emphasis. So where do I stand in this great debate? Well I'm kind of in
the middle. Yes I think ok to use LITERALLY for emphasis sometimes but I
do advise caution. By the way I'm quite liberal when it comes to words changing
their meaning that's fine, language is fluid, English is constantly evolving
and that's fine. Let me explain where I stand. If you say "I will literally love
you for the rest of my life if you help me do my homework." it's ok I suppose
you're exaggerating yes that's ok but "Harry Kane is a great footballer his
right leg was literally on fire today." really? "My friend is so religious he's
literally the Pope." Really? you need to be careful because with these sentences because you
could open yourself up to ridicule rightly or wrongly and if you like it or
not that's the case. Of course if you and the listener or in on the joke then it's
ok but overusing the emphatic use of the word LITERALLY can make you sound
foolish so do be careful. they say that literally is an
intensifier but if you say for example "I was so happy I exploded with joy." It's
already intense we know what you mean, we know you didn't actually explode you
don't need to add the word LITERALLY so if you say "I literally exploded with joy"
it has the opposite effect it diminishes the impact of the sentence. The word
LITERALLY is redundant here it's not necessary so don't use it. But, I hear you
screen, writers have been using the word literally with a figurative meaning for
hundreds of years. "' lift him out' said Squeeres. after he had
literally feasted his eyes in silence upon the culprit" Charles Dickens Nicholas
Nickleby. Dickens, Mark Twain, James Joyce. Hemingway, many others have been using
LITERALLY in a figurative sense ok but YOU'RE NOT HEMMINGWAY so be careful.
certainly these great writers use the word LITERALLY
in interesting ways. The use of 'literally added something to their
sentences to their writing. Secondly we sometimes need the distinction when we
need to know when LITERALLY is a real LITERALLY and when LITERALLY is an
emphatic LITERALLY for example "she literally speaks ten languages perfectly."
Is that a real LITERALLY or not a real LITERALLY? "The film was so frightening
I literally pissed myself" Really did you? I t could be true I don't know.
"You need a good lawyer my friend is
the best he's literally never lost a case"
3 months later - "you bastard,
I got the death penalty for a murder I didn't commit
your law was terrible you said he'd never lost a case literally."
- "yeah he lost a few cases "
- "but you said literally"
- "yeah, but not literally, literally"
Third reason
to be careful is that sometimes LITERALLY and FIGURATIVELY can be used
in the same sentence for example "Johnny was very insecure
about the fact that he was an illegitimate child. One day, for no reason,
he tried to punch me and as I raised my arm to defend myself, he cut his hand on
my watch strap. He was a bloody bastard literally and figuratively."
"My high jump coach
is very demanding. He sets the bar very high both figuratively and
literally." This playfulness doesn't work if literally means figuratively. So yes,
you're free to use LITERALLY in a figurative sense but don't overdo it
because you'll end up sounding like a retarded parrot on acid -
literally.