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Communication FUNdamentals
Sep. 2, 2008
Tuesday Tips Series: "Words Mean Things" -Literally!
In recent years, the meanings of certain words have been changed so as to be almost unrecognizable! So many words have been changed that we have come to the point where words don't really mean anything anymore. Continuing with my series, "Words Mean Things", this week's word is...Literally.
Merriam-Webster.com defines it as "in a literal sense or manner; actually". There are literally a few different ways in which the word literally can be misused.
"And Mansell comes into the pits, he's quite literally sweating his eyeballs out." - TV Sports Caster
Really?! This misuse of the word literally has made me so mad I literally explode! 
"Elmo is one french fry short of a Happy Meal. Literally!!" -Uncle Ernie's second cousin twice removed
This literally is used purely for emphasis. REALLY! 
"The earthquake, which registered an 8.9 on the Richter Scale, literally shook the house!"-Some rookie reporter into her 7th hour of live round the clock coverage!
You don't say? 
My advice is to literally avoid using the word altogether. Whether it's misused, overused or confused, it's an emphasis we can literally do without. Literally!
From JoJo's Purple Crayon...
Where's FIMM? Did you find himm this week?
Where's FIMM? Come find the only Foot in Mouth Man picture that is different from all the rest. Email what he looks like and where you found himm to fimm@artofeloquence.com and you could win a free Art of Eloquence eProduct of your choice!
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