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The definition of literally has changed for the worse

Discussion in 'General Discussions' started by cynthetiq, Aug 14, 2013.

  1. cynthetiq

    cynthetiq Administrator Staff Member Donor

    Location:
    New York City
    When it comes to using things like user interfaces in conjunction with databases, it's best to make sure that the data fields all mean just one thing instead of being able to have more than one meaning. This makes data digging easier. It is why tagging and hashtags are so popular because you can give more meaning to data.

    I'm torn about this because there are good reasons for words to change meaning over time, but I don't think that ignorance is one reason to acquiesce a change.
     
    cynthetiq, Aug 14, 2013
    #1
    • Like Like x 1
  2. snowy

    snowy so kawaii Staff Member

    Well, that's the problem with the Oxford English Dictionary then--it catalogs how words change but it doesn't tell us the reasoning behind the changes in meaning. I'd wager that the meaning of words has changed due to ignorance before, and will do so again. This is one of the quirks of having a living language as opposed to a dead language. The meaning of words can, does, and should change over time. People(s) change, and our linguistic needs change. Our language should reflect us--after all, we're the ones using it. Therefore, perhaps it's time to examine our own ignorance, hm?
     
    snowy, Aug 14, 2013
    #2
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  3. Levite

    Levite Levitical Yet Funky

    Location:
    The Windy City
    Ugh. This sucks. I can't believe actual dictionaries have altered definitions based on common ignorance. Way to put the "dick" back in "dictionary."

    This literally drives me crazy.

    Crazy.jpg
     
    Levite, Aug 14, 2013
    #3
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  4. Fangirl

    Fangirl Very Tilted

    Location:
    Arizona
    Also: this.
    (There are two threads on this topic.)
     
    Fangirl, Aug 14, 2013
    #4
  5. Plan9

    Plan9 Rock 'n Roll

    Location:
    Earth
    *drinks Kool-Aid, dons wig, bounces around in tube top*

    OMIGOD, BECKY... LOOK WHAT WE DID.

    THEY LITERALLY CHANGED IT.
     
    Last edited: Aug 14, 2013
    Plan9, Aug 14, 2013
    #5
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  6. Charlatan

    Charlatan sous les pavés, la plage

    Location:
    Temasek
    I literally don't care.
     
    Charlatan, Aug 14, 2013
    #6
    • Like Like x 3
  7. Craven Morehead

    Craven Morehead Very Tilted

    Location:
    third rock from the sun

    Becky? LOL
     
    Craven Morehead, Aug 14, 2013
    #7
  8. Plan9

    Plan9 Rock 'n Roll

    Location:
    Earth
    Plan9, Aug 14, 2013
    #8
    • Like Like x 1
  9. Cayvmann

    Cayvmann Very Tilted

    Location:
    Central North Carolina
    That's terrific (but only in the original meaning of terrific)
     
    Cayvmann, Aug 14, 2013
    #9
    • Like Like x 2
  10. Baraka_Guru

    Baraka_Guru Möderätor Staff Member

    Location:
    Toronto
    Guys, any dictionary worth its salt will list it as informal usage. Leaf through the Oxford, and you'll find a whole shitload (not literally) of words and usage that don't work well in more formal writing. I wouldn't blame the dictionaries for this. They are just documenting usage. In other words, they're doing what they're supposed to.

    These aren't replacement definitions. They're added definitions. In this case, the dictionaries are defining a usage employed by idiots.

    In the meantime, I will reserve my use of literally for cases where it will help avoid a misunderstanding.
     
    Baraka_Guru, Aug 14, 2013
    #10
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  11. Craven Morehead

    Craven Morehead Very Tilted

    Location:
    third rock from the sun
    Do idiots actually use dictionaries? I suspect not, at least not nearly enough. So then, documenting usage by idiots serves what purpose?
     
    Craven Morehead, Aug 14, 2013
    #11
  12. Charlatan

    Charlatan sous les pavés, la plage

    Location:
    Temasek
    Has no one heard of exaggeration for emphasis?

    It's like you are wilfully (one might even say, literally) ignoring the obvious.
     
    Charlatan, Aug 15, 2013
    #12
  13. Bodkin van Horn

    Bodkin van Horn One of the Four Horsewomyn of the Fempocalypse

    Location:
    Inside The Nucleus of Feminism
    I like that in the definition of literally, they used literally, but not in the sense of the definition of literally, but in the sense of the definition of literally. They literally fucking did this.
     
    Bodkin van Horn, Aug 15, 2013
    #13
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  14. Baraka_Guru

    Baraka_Guru Möderätor Staff Member

    Location:
    Toronto
    Are you suggesting that dictionaries should list all ironic uses of words? Man, I can't imagine that kind of project.
    --- merged: Aug 15, 2013 4:23 AM ---
    Deciphering idiots, natch.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Aug 22, 2013
    Baraka_Guru, Aug 15, 2013
    #14
  15. Fremen

    Fremen Allright, who stole my mustache?

    Location:
    E. Texas
    I literally think this is a trivial subject.
     
    Fremen, Aug 15, 2013
    #15