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akmarinov

Tim Cook, the literal supply chain god is in charge of Apple

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literal god?

> literal supply chain god

I mean this is what he was known for (and still known for) before he took took the CEO role.

The issue is the incorrect usage of the word "literal".

Oddly enough, literal in that context is emphasizing the point instead of… the literal meaning.

so many people were misusing the word “literally” the Merriam-Webster dictionary definition expanded to include the “figurative exaggerated” usage of it. So I understand but it’s “technically” correct

From the link in https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=32271400, there's references as far back as 1769 where people were "misusing" the word "literally". It has basically never just meant "literal".

Turns out exaggeration works by stating things that aren't strictly true. Who would've thought people could be so devious...

But what if he is though? Can’t prove that he isn’t, you just have to have faith.

the word has literally been redefined :-/

No, it hasn't, it's pretty much always been used for both (see https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=32271400 which contains references to the figurative use as far back as 1769.)

"Literally" has always been used figuratively.

https://blogs.illinois.edu/view/25/96439

Literally literally means both literally and figuratively.

I’m awed by how many permutations of this comment are possible and how few of those permutations could be considered incorrect.

This comment is _literally_ the epitome of hn.

Okay, okay, I figuratively stand corrected, no need to further downvote! Mea culpa haha. :)

According to the Oxford dictionary "literal"now means:

  Taking words in their usual or most basic sense without metaphor or exaggeration.

but also:

  [informal] Absolute (used to emphasize that a strong expression is deliberately chosen to convey one's feelings)

That second, informal meaning is correctly being used here.

https://www.lexico.com/definition/literally

Sure, if by "Now" you mean since at least 250 years ago.

> 1769 F. Brooke Hist. Emily Montague IV. ccxvii. 83 He is a fortunate man to be introduced to such a party of fine women at his arrival; it is literally to feed among the lilies.

A better phrasing that correctly uses "now" would be: The OED now recognizes that "literally" can be used to mean "figuratively".

> > 1769 F. Brooke Hist. Emily Montague IV. ccxvii. 83 He is a fortunate man to be introduced to such a party of fine women at his arrival; it is literally to feed among the lilies.

> A better phrasing that correctly uses "now" would be: The OED now recognizes that "literally" can be used to mean "figuratively".

I wouldn’t be so sure about that.

“Lilies” may figuratively refer to “women” as a group of persons named “Lily”. If so, attending a party filled with “lilies” would mean to literally (literally) feed among them, presuming snacks and refreshments were served at said party.

Good try. Fortunately we can check the text[1] and there are no characters named "Lily".

However, there is a prior reference to lilies as a thing of beauty:

> Our beaux are terribly at a loss for similies: you have lilies of the valley for comparisons; we nothing but what with the idea of whiteness gives that of coldness too.

and it seems likely the author was referring to that theme.

Additionally this isn't the only quote from a similar timeframe:

http://itre.cis.upenn.edu/~myl/languagelog/archives/002611.h...

https://www.macquariedictionary.com.au/blog/article/94/

[1] https://digital.library.upenn.edu/women/brooke/emily/emily.h...

What makes something a god? I am sure there are business people out there that worship at the altar of Tim Cook and his supply chain prowess.

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