this post was submitted on 06 Nov 2023
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Anyways (startrek.website)
submitted 10 months ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]
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[โ€“] [email protected] 6 points 10 months ago (1 children)

I'd argue that literally isn't changing definitions. It still means literally. It's just that the most common usage of 'literally' is in a figurative or hyperbolic way. In fact, if the word DID change meaning to mean the opposite version, its usage would become much less meaningful since it's usage in a figurative way is done to show extreme figurative to the point that it might as well be considered literal, e.g "literally the worst day of my life"

[โ€“] [email protected] 3 points 10 months ago

The fact I've felt the need to clarify I mean actually literally before shows that the definition is losing it's purpose. Sure, sometimes it's clear that it's hyperbolic, but frequently there isn't a good way to know what meaning is intended, especially if it's online and/or you don't know their person speaking and their tendencies.