Huldra Forsvant (Theodor Kittelsen)

Huldra Forsvant (Theodor Kittelsen)
Huldra Forsvant (Theodor Kittelsen)

Thursday, August 20, 2009

Warren The Word Over-Use Watchdog

The word: Literally

What's the problem? Well, this problem is two-fold, as the word gets abused in two, different, but equally annoying ways:

1) The Buy Me A Dictionary Syndrome (B.M.A.D.S)-

Here, people use the word 'literally' when the thing they are talking about actually is not literal, and can't be literal. An example would be, "Sorry I'm late, it literally took me, like a million years to get a bus". No, it didn't. It took about 42 minutes, literally, which is actually a fair bit less than a million years.

2) The Jamie Oliver Effect (J.O.E.)-

The other side of the coin. In this case, the culprit uses the word in a context that couldn't be anything other than literal, so therefore it is pointless, and not required. Jamie Oliver is a terrible repeat offender of this, and one of his examples might be something like, "So you literally just put the beans into the pan, and it's lovely jubbly, yeah?".

Oh, you literally want me to put the beans into the pan? Thanks so much for clarifying, otherwise I would have figuratively or metaphorically put the beans into the pan. Phew. A near miss.

But why does it bother you so much, crybaby? It's an unnecessarily long word shoved unnecessarily into a sentence. More hot air. Sort of like this post. A mist, a vapour.

Aren't you over-reacting a bit? Probably. But shut up for saying so.

7 comments:

lu said...

Could Warren review the word 'awkward' next. That's one that really bugs me! Way overused and often used incorrectly - which is just *awkward*! ;)

Ben McLaughlin said...

I wonder if that's an American thing, lu. What context do people use it in?

emfolle said...

Please also add 'basically'

Nathan said...

This is literally the best post ever.

I vote for "sustainable" next. Especially when being used by major mining companies.

Ben McLaughlin said...

ouc, em, I'm a 'basically' fiend. It's my bread and butter.

Nath- thanks for that correct usage of the word. Because it is. Literally.

Warren has noted your suggestion.

Simone R. said...

warren is wonderful.

Kutz said...

Warren and I share a passion.

Has warren had a crack at 'irregardless' yet?