XKCD on Literally / Figuratively

xkcd.com

3 pointslutusp3 comments

To me, the fact that "literally" and "figuratively" are accepted as synonyms, proves the power of anarchy in daily life.

http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/literally

A quote:

1 : in a literal sense or manner : actually <took the remark literally> <was literally insane>

2 : in effect : virtually <will literally turn the world upside down to combat cruelty or injustice — Norman Cousins>

I'm surprised 'literally' was ever expected to mean 'exactly'. People write fiction all the time. 'As written' doesn't imply fidelity to reality to me, at all.

> I'm surprised 'literally' was ever expected to mean 'exactly'.

I don't think "exactly" captures the default meaning of "literally". More like "consistent with reality."

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