Comments on: literally kicks the bucket http://literally.barelyfitz.com/2006/03/26/literally-kicks-the-bucket/ An English language grammar blog tracking abuse of the word "literally" Sun, 12 Oct 2008 18:00:06 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.3.2 By: Fitz http://literally.barelyfitz.com/2006/03/26/literally-kicks-the-bucket/#comment-474 Fitz Fri, 05 May 2006 00:05:04 +0000 http://literally.barelyfitz.com/2006/03/26/literally-kicks-the-bucket/#comment-474 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) 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 http://literally.barelyfitz.com/2006/03/26/literally-kicks-the-bucket/#comment-473 rone Thu, 04 May 2006 23:18:52 +0000 http://literally.barelyfitz.com/2006/03/26/literally-kicks-the-bucket/#comment-473 I don't know if i'd call that correct usage, since Durante didn't (literally) die — his character did. I don’t know if i’d call that correct usage, since Durante didn’t (literally) die — his character did.

]]> By: Literally confused http://literally.barelyfitz.com/2006/03/26/literally-kicks-the-bucket/#comment-472 Literally confused Sat, 29 Apr 2006 12:28:25 +0000 http://literally.barelyfitz.com/2006/03/26/literally-kicks-the-bucket/#comment-472 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 incredible— " 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/ 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 incredible— ”

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 http://literally.barelyfitz.com/2006/03/26/literally-kicks-the-bucket/#comment-308 Fitz Wed, 05 Apr 2006 12:55:04 +0000 http://literally.barelyfitz.com/2006/03/26/literally-kicks-the-bucket/#comment-308 This is not misuse - it's filed under correct. I'll try to make this more clear in the future. This is not misuse - it’s filed under correct. I’ll try to make this more clear in the future.

]]> By: Literally confused http://literally.barelyfitz.com/2006/03/26/literally-kicks-the-bucket/#comment-299 Literally confused Fri, 31 Mar 2006 10:50:44 +0000 http://literally.barelyfitz.com/2006/03/26/literally-kicks-the-bucket/#comment-299 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. 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 http://literally.barelyfitz.com/2006/03/26/literally-kicks-the-bucket/#comment-294 Jeff Tidwell Mon, 27 Mar 2006 21:02:41 +0000 http://literally.barelyfitz.com/2006/03/26/literally-kicks-the-bucket/#comment-294 two words Ethel Merman two words
Ethel Merman

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