• zifnab25 [he/him, any]@hexbear.net
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    1 year ago

    Note that the word “literal” still holds its original meaning. The turn of phrase is meant as exaggeration, not a change in formal definition. It has also fallen out of heavy use with more modern turns of phrase. So what “literally” means, as an adjective, is falling back into the traditional usage over time.

    • UlyssesT [he/him]@hexbear.net
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      1 year ago

      The turn of phrase is meant as exaggeration, not a change in formal definition.

      I have often seen it being used in a flexible bendy way that pretends to be the formal definition whenever it suits the poster, such as someone being called “literally insane” because someone disagreed with them. smuglord