Literally vs. figuratively: how literally is literally? [closed]

Solution 1:

Good question. I believe most people probably wouldn't even notice this weak use of literally, so you would be safe in casual writing; but many purists will probably consider it infelicitous, a stylistic mistake—at least in formal or literary writing.

Solution 2:

The use of literally as a emphasizer is something I find repellent. This is one of those cases in which the alteration of the original, intended, "literal" (to make a point) meaning is causing something to be lost in the language. It hampers our ability to communicate effectively and unambiguously. It even impedes the creative use of language; when we lose meaning, our powers of expression are diminished.

Recently I saw a T-shirt that reflects my feeling on the matter. It says: "Misuse of "literally" figuratively drives me insane!"

Solution 3:

Unfortunately modern American slang has removed all useful meaning from "literally". It is more often used to mean simply "figuratively" than to mean anything similar to its classic meaning.