# Literally means figuratively **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [August 2, 2016, 1:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/literally-means-figuratively/761546 "2016-08-02T13:42:16Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2016, 1:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/literally-means-figuratively/761546/1 "2016-08-02T13:42:16Z")
[According to the dictionary, “literally” now also means “figuratively”](http://www.salon.com/2013/08/22/according_to_the_dictionary_literally_now_also_means_figuratively_newscred/) Merriam-Webster, Macmillan Dictionary, Google, and The Cambridge Dictionary say so. > [@](#): > > Webster’s first definition of literally is, “in a literal sense or matter; actually.” Its second definition is, “in effect; virtually.” In addressing this seeming contradiction, its authors comment: > > “Since some people take sense 2 to be the opposition of sense 1, it has been frequently criticized as a misuse. Instead, the use is pure hyperbole intended to gain emphasis, but it often appears in contexts where no additional emphasis is necessary.” I find this quote cromulent: > [@Lewis Carroll](#): > > “When I use a word,” Humpty Dumpty said, in rather a scornful tone, “it means just what I choose it to mean—neither more nor less.” “The question is,” said Alice, “whether you can make words mean so many different things.” “The question is,” said Humpty Dumpty, “which is to be master—that’s all.” ---
**Author:** ![Inner\_Stickler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/inner_stickler/32/318_2.png) [@Inner\_Stickler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inner_Stickler)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2016, 2:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/literally-means-figuratively/761546/2 "2016-08-02T14:00:10Z")
:headdesk: :headdesk: :headdesk: Didn’t we have one of these threads like 2 weeks ago? I truly don’t understand why it’s so hard to let people talk the way they want to talk. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2016, 2:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/literally-means-figuratively/761546/3 "2016-08-02T14:09:21Z")
I assume ‘literally’ was used as an exaggeration so often it became equivalent to ‘virtually’ or ‘figuratively’. I can live with it. But it’s now pointless, to now say something is ‘literally so’ leaves the listener unclear on the meaning. ---
**Author:** ![Max\_the\_Immortal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/6de8d8/32.png) [@Max\_the\_Immortal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Max_the_Immortal)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2016, 2:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/literally-means-figuratively/761546/4 "2016-08-02T14:36:09Z")
Sure, literally often means figuratively. I personally wouldn’t want to use it that way, though. Just because a word is in the dictionary doesn’t mean you won’t be judged for using it. ---
**Author:** ![Richard\_Pearse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/richard_pearse/32/13144_2.png) [@Richard\_Pearse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Richard_Pearse)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2016, 2:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/literally-means-figuratively/761546/5 "2016-08-02T14:56:56Z")
It doesn’t literally mean “figuratively”, you can’t put “figuratively” in its place and achieve the same meaning. Literally may be used figuratively as an intensifier. ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2016, 3:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/literally-means-figuratively/761546/6 "2016-08-02T15:45:37Z")
> [@Inner\_Stickler](#): > > :headdesk: :headdesk: :headdesk: > > Didn’t we have one of these threads like 2 weeks ago? I truly don’t understand why it’s so hard to let people talk the way they want to talk. Because it interferes with accurate communication. Or: Camouflage paint rains heavily. The last sentence you saw is often one floor above you. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2016, 3:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/literally-means-figuratively/761546/7 "2016-08-02T15:49:22Z")
> [@Richard\_Pearse](#): > > It doesn’t literally mean “figuratively”, you can’t put “figuratively” in its place and achieve the same meaning. Literally may be used figuratively as an intensifier. We have a winner! This is one of my pet peeves, but we’ve gone around this a zillion times, and I just don’t have the energy to go in depth again. I have literally never found a use of “literally” in the wild where the meaning was unclear. It literally makes my head explode when people argue that it’s confusing. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2016, 3:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/literally-means-figuratively/761546/8 "2016-08-02T15:53:01Z")
> [@Colibri](#): > > Or: Camouflage paint rains heavily. The last sentence you saw is often one floor above you. My thinkations scrumptiously. ---
**Author:** ![Chimera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Chimera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chimera)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2016, 3:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/literally-means-figuratively/761546/9 "2016-08-02T15:59:50Z")
So when do we start the campaign to make “figuratively” mean “literally”? ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2016, 4:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/literally-means-figuratively/761546/10 "2016-08-02T16:01:33Z")
> [@Richard\_Pearse](#): > > It doesn’t literally mean “figuratively”, you can’t put “figuratively” in its place and achieve the same meaning. Literally may be used figuratively as an intensifier. For some people, it’s not an issue. All words for them have a vague meaning that’s sorta … like … you know … and they can’t express a subtle thought with precision. Sadly, they are dragging the language down to their level. ---
**Author:** ![Dung\_Beetle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dung_beetle/32/7945_2.png) [@Dung\_Beetle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dung_Beetle)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2016, 4:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/literally-means-figuratively/761546/11 "2016-08-02T16:11:38Z")
> [@Little\_Nemo](#): > > For some people, it’s not an issue. All words for them have a vague meaning that’s sorta … like … you know … and they can’t express a subtle thought with precision. Sadly, they are dragging the language down to their level. Figuratively fuck those guys. ---
**Author:** ![Inner\_Stickler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/inner_stickler/32/318_2.png) [@Inner\_Stickler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inner_Stickler)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2016, 4:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/literally-means-figuratively/761546/12 "2016-08-02T16:19:27Z")
> [@Colibri](#): > > Because it interferes with accurate communication. > > [Or: Camouflage paint rains heavily. The last sentence you saw is often one floor above you. If using literally as a general intensifier were impeding communication people would stop using it or adjust how they used it. Since people are continuing to use literally as a general intensifier, we must conclude that the problem, if one exists, does not lie with them. If you’d like, you can write a nasty letter to the lexicographers who added the meaning of literally as a general intensifier to the OED, though I can’t imagine they’d care as they’ve all since died given that the meaning was added in 1903. ---
**Author:** ![Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mean_mr.mustard/32/3865_2.png) [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2016, 4:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/literally-means-figuratively/761546/13 "2016-08-02T16:20:04Z")
I think we discuss this quarterly. I will add my usual comment: If literally now means figuratively, we’re gonna need a new word that means literally. mmm ---
**Author:** ![furryman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/furryman/32/99_2.png) [@furryman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/furryman)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2016, 4:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/literally-means-figuratively/761546/14 "2016-08-02T16:59:56Z")
> [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](#): > > I think we discuss this quarterly. I will add my usual comment: > > If literally now means figuratively, we’re gonna need a new word that means literally. > mmm I’ve thought for years that arguably and inarguably are totally unnecessary words, it’s time to add literally to that list.😃 ---
**Author:** ![peedin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/peedin/32/14095_2.png) [@peedin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/peedin)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2016, 5:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/literally-means-figuratively/761546/15 "2016-08-02T17:23:34Z")
The dictionary is wrong. ---
**Author:** ![wolfpup](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpup/32/10618_2.png) [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2016, 5:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/literally-means-figuratively/761546/16 "2016-08-02T17:43:45Z")
> [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](#): > > I think we discuss this quarterly. I will add my usual comment: > > If literally now means figuratively, we’re gonna need a new word that means literally. > mmm I assume that when you say “quarterly”, you don’t mean it literally, but actually mean “once in a while”. Or maybe you mean four times a year. Who the hell knows what you mean! According to some, the English language is such a paragon of clarity that we hardly need words at all! We may as well abandon words like “literally” as having any defined meaning and just throw them overboard into the roiling cesspool of illiteracy. ---
**Author:** ![QuickSilver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quicksilver/32/7832_2.png) [@QuickSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QuickSilver)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2016, 5:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/literally-means-figuratively/761546/17 "2016-08-02T17:44:33Z")
> [@furryman](#): > > I’ve thought for years that arguably and inarguably are totally unnecessary words, it’s time to add literally to that list.😃 Flammable vs. Inflammable. Which catches fire first? ---
**Author:** ![bump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7c8e57/32.png) [@bump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bump)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2016, 6:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/literally-means-figuratively/761546/18 "2016-08-02T18:10:06Z")
> [@Richard\_Pearse](#): > > It doesn’t literally mean “figuratively”, you can’t put “figuratively” in its place and achieve the same meaning. Literally may be used figuratively as an intensifier. That’s the way I keep hearing it used incorrectly. But even then, it’s almost always in the context of something that’s substantially whatever it is that’s being described. So I might hear someone say something like “Literally everyone in our section ducked, when that foul ball went screaming into the stands near third base.” They don’t mean that every single person ducked, which is what the first definition means, but that a very substantial proportion of the people in the section ducked. It’s a way of figuratively intensifying the sentence by using an absolute, rather than using phrasing with less intensity, like “Most people ducked” It’s more accurate, but in the context of talking about an event in a baseball game, it’s less evocative. It’s basically a sort of verbal embellishment, or at least that’s how i see it. ---
**Author:** ![Hermitian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hermitian/32/470_2.png) [@Hermitian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hermitian)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2016, 6:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/literally-means-figuratively/761546/19 "2016-08-02T18:30:08Z")
[Here is a four page effor](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=705171)t I started several years ago. ---
**Author:** ![gigi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a587f6/32.png) [@gigi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gigi)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2016, 6:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/literally-means-figuratively/761546/20 "2016-08-02T18:37:30Z")
> [@bump](#): > > So I might hear someone say something like “Literally everyone in our section ducked, when that foul ball went screaming into the stands near third base.” They don’t mean that every single person ducked, which is what the first definition means, but that a very substantial proportion of the people in the section ducked. > > It’s a way of figuratively intensifying the sentence by using an absolute, rather than using phrasing with less intensity, like “Most people ducked” It’s more accurate, but in the context of talking about an event in a baseball game, it’s less evocative. That how about “Everyone in our section ducked, when that foul ball went screaming into the stands near third base”. You know, since not everyone ducked. “Literally” is telling us that the next word is not true??! [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/literally-means-figuratively/761546.md?page=2)