Comments on: literally kicks the bucket

By: Fitz

Fitz — Fri, 05 May 2006 00:05:04 +0000

They are not using the figurative meaning (that he died) but the literal meaning (he kicked a bucket with his foot), but they could have said “when his character dies” if you want to be pedantic (and hey, who doesn’t)

By: rone

rone — Thu, 04 May 2006 23:18:52 +0000

I don’t know if i’d call that correct usage, since Durante didn’t (literally) die — his character did.

By: Literally confused

Literally confused — Sat, 29 Apr 2006 12:28:25 +0000

Ah sorry, my mistake. I didn’t read the site that carefully when I posted that. I think you’re right however, calling out the distinction a little more prominently might be called for.

Here’s a new one for the incorrect category, just on Slate now, in an article by Sam Anderson:

“The range of material on the Web site YouTube is almost literally incredibleâ€” ”

Link below. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I shall go and play “My Mistake”, for solo violin.

http://www.slate.com/id/2140697/nav/tap1/

By: Fitz

Fitz — Wed, 05 Apr 2006 12:55:04 +0000

This is not misuse – it’s filed under correct. I’ll try to make this more clear in the future.

By: Literally confused

Literally confused — Fri, 31 Mar 2006 10:50:44 +0000

Why is this “misuse”? The point here was that Durante kicks a real bucket, that’s the gag. Thus it’s not the usual figurative use of the term “to kick the bucket”, meaning to die, but a well, literal one.

Your own description of “what’s the problem” gives the “acceptable” usage of literal as one that’s not figurative but… the other kind. Literal.

By: Jeff Tidwell

Jeff Tidwell — Mon, 27 Mar 2006 21:02:41 +0000

two words
Ethel Merman