# I have a coworker who uses 'literally' incorrectly **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [May 27, 2016, 5:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-a-coworker-who-uses-literally-incorrectly/755834 "2016-05-27T17:46:31Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 1\ **Showing post:** 201
**Author:** ![Riemann](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/riemann/32/3133_2.png) [@Riemann](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Riemann)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2016, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-a-coworker-who-uses-literally-incorrectly/755834/201 "2016-06-03T20:44:03Z")
> [@Inner\_Stickler](#): > > To quote a wise doper: > [@I swiftly herewith consign to the pit, the ignorant clowns who misconstrue "its"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-swiftly-herewith-consign-to-the-pit-the-ignorant-clowns-who-misconstrue-its/627871/205): > > For what it’s worth, using “literally” as a generic intensifier really makes my blood boil, too. It’s truly a plague on the English language. I know I’m really laid-back on usage peeves in general, but this one actually drives me insane. In fact, it’s quite soul-crushing. You realize that this is parody, right? And skilful parody. It squeezes in **five** precisely analogous constructions to intensify metaphors within in the peeve. **really** makes my blood boil [but not really] **truly** a plague [but not truly] **really** laid-back [but not really] **actually** drives me insane [but not actually] **In fact** , it’s quite soul-crushing. [but that’s not a fact] Another giveaway is the tongue-in-cheek > [@](#): > > I’m really laid-back on usage peeves in general, but… which is a parody of similar constructions such as I’m not a racist, but… I generally support LGBT rights, but… --- _[View the full topic](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-a-coworker-who-uses-literally-incorrectly/755834)._