RaistlinZ
Diamond Member
- Oct 15, 2001
- 7,629
- 10
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..You should check the definition of the word literally.
lit·er·al·ly   [lit-er-uh-lee] Show IPA
adverb
1. in the literal or strict sense: What does the word mean literally?
2. in a literal manner; word for word: to translate literally.
3. actually; without exaggeration or inaccuracy: The city was literally destroyed.
4. in effect; in substance; very nearly; virtually.
Origin:
152535; literal + -ly
Can be confused: figuratively, literally, virtually (see usage note at this entry).
Usage note
Since the early 20th century, literally has been widely used as an intensifier meaning in effect, virtually, a sense that contradicts the earlier meaning actually, without exaggeration: The senator was literally buried alive in the Iowa primaries. The parties were literally trading horses in an effort to reach a compromise. The use is often criticized; nevertheless, it appears in all but the most carefully edited writing. Although this use of literally irritates some, it probably neither distorts nor enhances the intended meaning of the sentences in which it occurs. The same might often be said of the use of literally in its earlier sense actually: The garrison was literally wiped out: no one survived.
I still think the world will literally explode. ^_^ Actually, planets don't explode do they? They're stars after all. Don't stars implode when they die and become black holes?