My pet peeve is "at the end of the day." Unfortunately, I work in manufacturing and often have to discuss what needs to be done before it's time to go home and hear myself uttering that phrase more often than I would like. But in my case, I mean it literally.
Which reminds me, I recently heard that the word literally no longer means liter…
My pet peeve is "at the end of the day." Unfortunately, I work in manufacturing and often have to discuss what needs to be done before it's time to go home and hear myself uttering that phrase more often than I would like. But in my case, I mean it literally.
Which reminds me, I recently heard that the word literally no longer means literally because it's been misused to the point that it now means figuratively, according to Merriam-Webster. Such is evolution.
Amen. This is how good words get ruined. They mean something very specific but get misused so much they stop meaning anything. Now, if I ever use "literally" I feel the need to qualify it: "No, I mean actually, literally, verbatim, that's what happened," which is a lot less efficient.
Bonnie, I agree, and unfortunately it’s an ignorance about our language in general. So many words and phrases being misused and misunderstood these days.
I came here specifically to say that! Using phrases like "at the end of the day" reminds me of when people say "myself" when "I" or "me" would be correct. It's as if they're trying to sound erudite, but instead sound trite or stupid. In fact, there are few times when "myself" is correct, unless you're doing something to "yourself." I wish people would stop saying things like, "Feel free to talk to Bob or myself..." NO!
As for the word literally, that's disappointing. It makes me want to figuratively poke my eyes out. Here's another: "I could care less." I guess that means you care. Next time, try "I couldn't care less" if you want to convey disinterest.
Too many people speak/write without thinking about what their words actually mean.
My pet peeve is "at the end of the day." Unfortunately, I work in manufacturing and often have to discuss what needs to be done before it's time to go home and hear myself uttering that phrase more often than I would like. But in my case, I mean it literally.
Which reminds me, I recently heard that the word literally no longer means literally because it's been misused to the point that it now means figuratively, according to Merriam-Webster. Such is evolution.
I don't think it's evolution, it's lack of knowledge about the meaning of "literally".
Maybe both?
Amen. This is how good words get ruined. They mean something very specific but get misused so much they stop meaning anything. Now, if I ever use "literally" I feel the need to qualify it: "No, I mean actually, literally, verbatim, that's what happened," which is a lot less efficient.
Bonnie, I agree, and unfortunately it’s an ignorance about our language in general. So many words and phrases being misused and misunderstood these days.
I came here specifically to say that! Using phrases like "at the end of the day" reminds me of when people say "myself" when "I" or "me" would be correct. It's as if they're trying to sound erudite, but instead sound trite or stupid. In fact, there are few times when "myself" is correct, unless you're doing something to "yourself." I wish people would stop saying things like, "Feel free to talk to Bob or myself..." NO!
As for the word literally, that's disappointing. It makes me want to figuratively poke my eyes out. Here's another: "I could care less." I guess that means you care. Next time, try "I couldn't care less" if you want to convey disinterest.
Too many people speak/write without thinking about what their words actually mean.