My dad's a bit of a pedant
I may have inherited it. Especially where the word 'literally' is concerned. The other day I was listening to Radio 4, the economics correspondent (no less) was talking about the stock market and said, of some company or other:

"Their share price literally fell off a cliff..."

So I shouted at the radio, "Oh yes fucktard? And what actual cliff was that then? Beachy friggin' head?"

Same thing happened a couple of days later on the telly:

Reporter: "These body-builders buying steroids over the internet are literally playing Russian Roulette."

Me: "No they fucking aren't. They are literally pumping dodgy chemicals into their bodies. Revolvers with a single round in them are not involved."

Grrrrrrr.

And relax.


By the way, I've found the definitve way to find out if you are getting old. Put a mirror flat down on a table and look down into it from above. You'll soon know if you're old.
(Che Grimsdale Best before:, Thu 30 Apr 2009, 15:06, 5 replies)

I've done this...
...for over ten years now, and I'm only 29. It's more to do with disliking morons than getting old.
(ThomsonsPier consumes, Thu 30 Apr 2009, 16:27, closed)

Interestingly
the use of 'literally' to mean quite the opposite - figuratively, metaphorically - is pretty established. I'm a pedant of epic proportions as well, but this was pointed out to me by an etymologist (he loves collecting insects) friend. I thought it was just modern thick twats too but this usage is over a hundred years old.

Mostly American sources, but some more info for you.
(username1, Thu 30 Apr 2009, 16:36, closed)

I think you mean entom- oh.
I see what you did there.

Well played.
( flake has nothing against your right leg, Thu 30 Apr 2009, 21:53, closed)

and that is precisely why
I hate being on top.
( Tourette's ( . )( . ) has a monkey hair in her fried egg, Thu 30 Apr 2009, 16:36, closed)

Oh yes
...either that or do it in the dark. We all need our dignity occasionally.
(Che Grimsdale Best before:, Fri 1 May 2009, 9:35, closed)