Literally Speaking

Authors

  • Liam McCarthy

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.6017/lf.v3i0.9278

Abstract

This is a brief overview of the histoy of the word literally. The word literally has been at the heart of a debate between prescriptivist and descriptivist attitudes towards dictionaries and the English language in general so an analysis of the word's history unveils a number of key moments in the word's history that can help or hinder either side's argument. This controversial word's history also interestingly reveals some of the ways that the English language grows and changes over time.

References

Baron, D. (2010, October 29). A literal paradox: "literally" generally means 'figuratively' | OUPblog.

Brooke, Francis. (1769). The History Of Emily Montague. OED

Coleman, Dana. (2013, August 22). According to the Dictionary, “literally” Now Also Means “figuratively. Salon.

Dryden, Jonathan. (1687). Hind & Panther. OED

"Literally." Google Ngram Viewer.

"literally, adv.", "literal, adj. and n." OED Online. Oxford University Press.

"Literally." Merriam-Webster. Merriam-Webster.

Muther, Christopher. (2011, July 19). Literally, the Most Misused Word. Boston.com. The New York Times.

Rollins, Samantha. (2013, March, 6). How the Wrong Definition of 'literally' Sneaked into the Dictionary. The Week.

Skurie, Jaclyn. (2013, August 18). The Literal Truth About The Word

"Literally" National Geographic. National Geographic Society.

Transcript: Vice President Biden's Convention Speech. (2012, September 6). NPR. NPR.

Twain, Mark. (1876). The Adventures of Tom Sawyer. OED

Wilton, Dave. (2013, August 21). Literally. Wordorigins.org.

Wycliffite, John. (1450). Prol. Old Test. Bible. OED

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Published

2016-12-12

How to Cite

McCarthy, L. (2016). Literally Speaking. Lingua Frankly, 3. https://doi.org/10.6017/lf.v3i0.9278

Issue

Section

Articles