Comments on: literally spinning http://literally.barelyfitz.com/2005/12/18/literally-spinning/ An English language grammar blog tracking abuse of the word "literally" Tue, 02 Dec 2008 14:43:03 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.3.2 By: Ned http://literally.barelyfitz.com/2005/12/18/literally-spinning/#comment-258 Ned Mon, 06 Mar 2006 18:33:34 +0000 http://literally.barelyfitz.com/2005/12/18/literally-spinning/#comment-258 Maybe it's just me, but to say "You're spinning, literally," would have required a response from Ueland. Am I making sense? Adding 'literally' to the observation would have given it the quality of an affirmation, which Ueland would have needed to counter. As it was, everyone got to hear and appreciate the crack without Ueland getting an opening. That's a tough crowd. Yet another interpretation: In my workplace argot, 'spin cycle' is reserved for times when someone is observed to be in over their head, and furthermore, is not even grasping what needs to be done. National partisan politics is a fine example of the spin cycle. It is too bad the reporter didn't actually say 'spin cycle' to avoid confusion with 'spin'. Maybe it’s just me, but to say “You’re spinning, literally,” would have required a response from Ueland. Am I making sense? Adding ‘literally’ to the observation would have given it the quality of an affirmation, which Ueland would have needed to counter. As it was, everyone got to hear and appreciate the crack without Ueland getting an opening. That’s a tough crowd.

Yet another interpretation: In my workplace argot, ’spin cycle’ is reserved for times when someone is observed to be in over their head, and furthermore, is not even grasping what needs to be done. National partisan politics is a fine example of the spin cycle.

It is too bad the reporter didn’t actually say ’spin cycle’ to avoid confusion with ’spin’.

]]> By: Jeff http://literally.barelyfitz.com/2005/12/18/literally-spinning/#comment-203 Jeff Tue, 03 Jan 2006 07:34:44 +0000 http://literally.barelyfitz.com/2005/12/18/literally-spinning/#comment-203 Perhaps not, but someone should have said "Bill Frist is literally an asshole" Perhaps not, but someone should have said “Bill Frist is literally an asshole”

]]> By: jamie http://literally.barelyfitz.com/2005/12/18/literally-spinning/#comment-188 jamie Sun, 25 Dec 2005 16:45:50 +0000 http://literally.barelyfitz.com/2005/12/18/literally-spinning/#comment-188 I think it's fine without the literally. More subtle. I'm sure everyone understood the double entendre (pardon if that's spelled wrong), and if they didn't then screw 'em. I think it’s fine without the literally. More subtle. I’m sure everyone understood the double entendre (pardon if that’s spelled wrong), and if they didn’t then screw ‘em.

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