Since it’s widely accepted that the word “literally” can be used to add emphasis, we need another word that can be used when you want to make it clear that you really mean “literally” in the original sense.

  • SaraTonin@lemmy.world
    1·
    17 hours ago

    Twain:

    And when the middle of the afternoon came, from being a poor poverty-stricken boy in the morning, Tom was literally rolling in wealth.

    Alcott:

    The land literally flowed with milk and honey on such occasions,

    Dickens:

    ‘Lift him out,’ said Squeers, after he had literally feasted his eyes, in silence, upon the culprit

    And so on

    • BarneyPiccolo@lemmy.cafeEnglish
      1·
      17 hours ago

      Wow, you pulled those out, impressive! I really mean it!

      I’m a big Mark Twain fan, and all it proves is that our idols can be wrong, LOL. I’m dying on this hill.