When people mis-use literally it bugs me, Anyone else?

  • Thread starter Thread starter maverick_starstrider
  • Start date Start date
Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The forum discussion centers on the misuse of the word "literally" in everyday language, particularly when it is used to mean "figuratively." Participants express frustration over this linguistic trend, arguing that it reflects a lack of understanding of the word's true meaning. The conversation also touches on other language pet peeves, such as the use of "like" as a filler word and the perception of language as an arbitrary construct. Ultimately, the discussion highlights the importance of precise language and the implications of linguistic evolution.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of linguistic terminology, including "hyperbole" and "logical fallacy."
  • Familiarity with the concept of language evolution and cultural influences on language.
  • Knowledge of common grammatical rules and their exceptions in English.
  • Awareness of the distinction between descriptive and prescriptive linguistics.
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the impact of hyperbole in modern language usage.
  • Explore the evolution of the word "literally" and its changing meanings over time.
  • Study the role of filler words like "like" in conversational English.
  • Investigate the principles of descriptive versus prescriptive linguistics.
USEFUL FOR

Language enthusiasts, linguists, educators, and anyone interested in the nuances of English usage and the evolution of language.

  • #61


FredGarvin said:
I don't know if anyone else saw this, but a sportscaster on ESPN was talking about Tiger Woods and the Buick Open...He said that "Tiger Woods was literally on fire on the back nine."

They are called Colemanballs (http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/h2g2/A6564341) in the UK.
 
Science news on Phys.org
  • #62


maverick_starstrider said:
Yes but does that mean they're make that mistake if they were actually writing something of value? Is their resume filled with these errors?

Yes, definitely. Some people will hold an entire conversation mis-using 'then' or 'than'. If you know the proper meaning of each, after one or two typos you'll realize how dumb you look and make sure to use the correct word.

Their resume doesn't have those errors only because MS Word has a grammar checker
 
  • #63


well, why do people invent or change words nowadays? i know i do it all the time, and sometimes just for the sake of being funny or making a joke. other times, we do it to show a different perspective or perception of something common. so i don't think its "arbitrary" at all.
 
  • #64


and i hate it when people use the "like" thing, as well as "unbelievable" to describe relatively ordinary events.
 
  • #65


I have a terrible habit these days of interspersing 'you know' in places where others say 'um' or things such as that. It's a little frightening, and I'm trying to not do that so much.

I have a pretty big gripe with the misuse of 'then/than'/'your'/you're', et cetera, and blatant grammatical errors (the subtle ones I can live with to an extent; my grammar is pretty shiny but doesn't have a 100% albedo, to put it one way).
 
  • #66


kldickson said:
I have a terrible habit these days of interspersing 'you know' in places where others say 'um' or things such as that. It's a little frightening, and I'm trying to not do that so much.

I had the same problem. The way I dealt with it was to just shut up while I was thinking. If I couldn't find a word or think of a way to convey an idea off the top of my head I would just put my thinking face on until I thought of it. When I started doing this people tended to listen more intently. It was as if they were happy I didn't spew useless "Uh..."s to notify them my sentence isn't finished, and were even happier I didn't assert they knew what I was talking about. It was good for all parties involved.
 
  • #67


negitron said:
I've spent enough time on various internet forums over the years to be able to tell you for certain that you're wrong there. While the occasional mistype does occur, for sure, I've seen enough people who type "then" when they mean "than" with rock-solid consistency to say the latter is much more common than the former.

I can't remember having seen a large number of people mixing up the words "than" and "then". In fact, I can't even see how/when one would do it. They are completely different words!
 
  • #70


cristo said:
I can't remember having seen a large number of people mixing up the words "than" and "then". In fact, I can't even see how/when one would do it. They are completely different words!

When typing something on the internet most people don't pay attention to grammar/spelling/diction. I think this problem is mostly with people say under around 22? Just picking that number out of a hat but in my personal experiences people around or under that age seem to be more fluent at using the internet and chatting etc.
 
  • #71


The question is who here has a browser that spell checks for them? (I do not)
 
  • #72


AND can you properly use affect vs. effect. (There are obvious differences but I've seen some pretty subtle uses of affect)
 
  • #74


maverick_starstrider said:
The question is who here has a browser that spell checks for them? (I do not)

i use mozilla firefox.it has a spellcheck. it's way better then internet explorer.
 
  • #75


A pet peeve I have is when people, like, literally ask me if they can borrow some paper, you know? I think, no they can have it as I don't expect them to return it.
 
  • #76


maverick_starstrider said:
The question is who here has a browser that spell checks for them? (I do not)
Opera does automatic real time spelling - like word it underlines bad words and offers suggestions.

The D on this keyboard doesn't work - which explains some of the gibberish I type.
 
  • #77


Indeed, the misuse of words is deplorable. My peeve is the word 'indeed'. I can be fairly certain a line of crap is about to follow.
 
  • #78


maverick_starstrider said:
The question is who here has a browser that spell checks for them? (I do not)

Bully for you. I use one; not because I can't spell but because I can't type.
 
  • #79


mgb_phys said:
Opera does automatic real time spelling - like word it underlines bad words and offers suggestions.

The D on this keyboard doesn't work - which explains some of the gibberish I type.

How do you type d's, then?
 
  • #80


maverick_starstrider said:
AND can you properly use affect vs. effect. (There are obvious differences but I've seen some pretty subtle uses of affect)

Hmmm... 'affect' is not a word I often use but I don't really see the difficulty, at least not with the manner in which I am accustomed to it being used.



Oh and I usually use Google for spell check on words I'm not sure about.
 
  • #81


TheStatutoryApe said:
Oh and I usually use Google for spell check on words I'm not sure about.

Lol me too, always find myself opening up the internet and typing define: blahblah.
 
  • #82


mgb_phys said:
The D on this keyboard doesn't work - which explains some of the gibberish I type.

ideasrule said:
How do you type d's, then?

I'll take a wild guess. He presses the D key, then deletes all but one of the multiple D's that appeared.

Am I right?
 
  • #83


Richard87 said:
A pet peeve I have is when people, like, literally ask me if they can borrow some paper, you know? I think, no they can have it as I don't expect them to return it.

This brings up another one in which a cartoonist (writer, not artist) displayed incredible ignorance while pretending to be brilliant. A couple of decades ago, in a 'Sally Forth' strip, her daughter asked Sally if she could 'borrow' her some money for something. Sally corrected her grammar by telling her that the proper term was 'loan' me some money. :smile:
 
  • #84


Danger said:
Sally corrected her grammar by telling her that the proper term was 'loan' me some money. :smile:

Sorry, dude, but the ignorance is yours:

USAGE NOTE The verb loan is well established in American usage and cannot be considered incorrect. The frequent objections to the form by American grammarians may have originated from a provincial deference to British critics, who long ago labeled the usage a typical Americanism. Loan is, however, used to describe only physical transactions, as of money or goods; for figurative transactions, lend is correct: Distance lends enchantment. The allusions lend the work a classical tone.

http://www.answers.com/loan
 
Last edited by a moderator:
  • #85


negitron said:
Sorry, dude, but the ignorance is yours:
No, the ignorance is yours; I'm not American. I speak English. You lend someone money; the loan is the thing that you lent to someone.
 
  • #86


Sally Forth is an American strip.
 
  • #87


negitron said:
Sally Forth is an American strip.

As if that's an excuse for ignorance...
 
  • #88


It is not ignorance, your claim to the contrary notwithstanding. It is not only considered correct usage now and has a long history behind it but it is properly considered standard English. And, in fact, your objection is itself based in ignorance:

http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/loan

usage The verb loan is one of the words English settlers brought to America and continued to use after it had died out in Britain. Its use was soon noticed by British visitors and somewhat later by the New England literati, who considered it a bit provincial. It was flatly declared wrong in 1870 by a popular commentator, who based his objection on etymology. A later scholar showed that the commentator was ignorant of Old English and thus unsound in his objection, but by then it was too late, as the condemnation had been picked up by many other commentators. Although a surprising number of critics still voice objections, loan is entirely standard as a verb. You should note that it is used only literally; lend is the verb used for figurative expressions, such as “lending a hand” or “lending enchantment.”
 
  • #89


Merriam-Webster is a Yank publication, not a proper English one.
 
  • #90


Well, we're talking about American usage in an American comic strip written by an American, so I feel I'm on solid ground here.
 

Similar threads

How to Salvage my Academic Career?
  • · Replies 58 ·
2
Replies
58
Views
9K
The Scientist as Hero - or not
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
3K
What are your thoughts on 'Ad Astra' and Will Smith's upcoming Gemini Man?
  • · Replies 12 ·
Replies
12
Views
4K
Medical Low Latent Inhibition, Discussion/Question
  • · Replies 17 ·
Replies
17
Views
22K
Programs Need Opinions On Majors/Minors (Update from last year's post)
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
3K
Other Leaving Italy? Is It the Right Choice? Expert Advice & Tips
  • · Replies 17 ·
Replies
17
Views
3K
Why do so many people hate science?
  • · Replies 28 ·
Replies
28
Views
12K
What Makes Accelerated Trig Courses So Difficult?
  • · Replies 12 ·
Replies
12
Views
2K
Facing My Phobia: Overcoming Needle Fear
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
5K
Other Can You Succeed in Astronomy Without Strong Spatial Ability?
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
3K