literally jump out of her skin
November 29th, 2006 by Fitz
Allergies at the Dinner Table (Time.com)
“One of the symptoms of food allergy is dread, Mindlin explains. She knows something is very wrong and literally tries to jump out of skin. It’s unbearable to watch.”
I’m not sure how to classify this: it is certainly possible for her to try to jump out of her skin, but I hope she never accomplishes it.
(Thanks, Niki)
December 1st, 2006 at 1:23 pm
what are you talking about? http://www.portaldavaca.com.br/simagens/engracadas/jun_05/as_roupas_do_michael_jackson.jpg
December 5th, 2006 at 11:37 am
This is a great blog. Have you seen humor writer Rob Bloom’s comedy article about the misuse of the word literally? It’s called “Having my way with words.” It’s at Rob Bloom http://www.robbloom.com
December 8th, 2006 at 8:30 pm
“literally” as defined by The American Heritage Dictionary - I’ll copy the appropriate section which makes this website moot:
“b. Used as an intensive before a figurative expression.”
source: http://www.bartleby.com/61/91/L0199100.html
Also, according to Merriam Webster, who’s entry I’ll copy entirely:
Main Entry: lit·er·al·ly
Variant(s): /’li-t&-r&-lE, ‘li-tr&-lE, ‘li-t&r-lE/
Function: adverb
1 : in a literal sense or manner : ACTUALLY
2 : in effect : VIRTUALLY
usage: Since some people take sense 2 to be the opposite of sense 1, it has been frequently criticized as a misuse. Instead, the use is pure hyperbole intended to gain emphasis, but it often appears in contexts where no additional emphasis is necessary.
source: http://m-w.com/dictionary/literally
December 13th, 2006 at 12:33 am
This blog is awesome; the commenters above can bite me. LITERALLY should NOT be used to mean FIGURATIVELY. It makes me craaaaaaaaazy.
March 20th, 2007 at 1:24 pm
the oxford english dictionary entry for literally:
b. Used to indicate that the following word or phrase must be taken in its literal sense.
Now often improperly used to indicate that some conventional metaphorical or hyperbolical phrase is to be taken in the strongest admissible sense.
OED is generally regarded as the authorative record of the english language so this website is far from moot. actually, that is also a misuse of the word moot earlier. moot means meaningless or irrelevant. if “literally” could correctly be used to qualify hyperbole then this website would be incorrect, not moot. however, the fact that most people don’t really care if their language is correct or not may render the website moot.