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literally written in slate

November 1st, 2005 by Fitz
roof slates with literally written on them

Welcome Slate readers, to this “reasonably informed blog”. If you have an outrageously incorrect usage of “literally” be sure to submit it!

Update: the Slate story now has an MP3 audio version of the story.

Update: a different audio version of the story was on National Public Radio but I can’t recommend it because the part that mentions this blog has been edited out.

This entry was posted by Fitz on Tuesday, November 1st, 2005 at 1:12 pm and is filed under Correct. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

13 Responses to “literally written in slate”

  1. Amber Says:
    November 1st, 2005 at 7:12 pm

    Nice! We are getting famous.

    Btw, Jesse Sheidlower wrote a book that served as the main reference for my only A+ paper in college.

  2. Fitz Says:
    November 1st, 2005 at 9:31 pm

    That must have been some paper with that book as the main reference.

  3. Southern Hope Says:
    November 2nd, 2005 at 12:57 pm

    Well, in a roundabout fashion, here’s another “Patrick Fitzgerald” who’s “literally untouchable.” http://newsbusters.org/node/2597

  4. Fitz Says:
    November 2nd, 2005 at 2:14 pm

    Southern Hope: don’t keep reminding me! I blogged about it elsewhere.

  5. Tom in NJ Says:
    November 2nd, 2005 at 8:15 pm

    Any tips on writing/grammar guides? Would love a nice easy reference site (the common english errors is a gem) or book for grammar check. Word doesn’t quite cut it.

    thanks, love the site.

    Tom in NJ

  6. Jeff Says:
    November 3rd, 2005 at 6:02 pm

    I knew you before you were featured in the liberal press. - J

  7. Noel M Says:
    November 4th, 2005 at 3:45 pm

    I have a similar pet peeve with the misuse of the word “healthy”, as in “a healthy diet” or “a healthy lifestyle”, when the proper word would be healthful.

    I may just start A Healthy Blog…

  8. Fitz Says:
    November 4th, 2005 at 4:17 pm

    @Tom: I don’t know about grammar guides, so I can only suggest you search Amazon for grammar.

    It’s pretty funny that the first book at Amazon, Grammatically Correct: The Writer’s Essential Guide to Punctuation, Spelling, Style, Usage and Grammar contains the following user comment:

    This book literally breezes through the basics of spelling, punctuation, grammar and style

  9. The Raven Says:
    November 5th, 2005 at 2:49 pm

    Congratulations, guys. Thanks to the Slate piece, you’re literally on fire!

  10. Mike Says:
    November 6th, 2005 at 8:52 am

    Language Changes. Word meanings shift around. Please check out this entry from the wonderful site “Language Miniatures”. http://home.bluemarble.net/~langmin/miniatures/literally.htm

  11. Amanda Says:
    November 6th, 2005 at 3:00 pm

    I saw the link for this blog on the Slate, and I couldn’t resist. I find the common misuse of English words rather interesting. My favorite is one uses “I could care less”, when one means “I couldn’t care less.”

  12. Elisabeth Says:
    November 6th, 2005 at 10:50 pm

    I detest your/you’re and good/well misuses.

    I am a nerd.

  13. Fitz Says:
    November 6th, 2005 at 11:08 pm

    Speaking of your/you’re, a friend sent me this joke:

    A man walks into a psychiatrist’s office wearing only underwear made of Saran Wrap.

    The psychiatrist says, “Well…I can clearly see you’re nuts.”

    Sorry, I just had to post it.

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