literally
If you are trying to make a point, adding “literally” to your statement doesn’t help your cause unless you really mean that something actually took place without exaggeration or inaccuracy. Usually, literally is used to emphasize some sort of figurative expression:
- I am running around in circles.
- The cupcake was calling my name.
- You are beating a dead horse.
These sayings don’t need emphasis – they were created to emphasize – that is their purpose. I think it’s best to leave them at it and let them do their job.
Sometimes, literally is used to reinforce something that is actually literal but it is rather unnecessary to give a disclaimer that what you are saying is the truth. Are you a liar? If someone asked you what you did today would you say, “I seriously went to the grocery store and got milk, honestly.” I wouldn’t think so – unless you weren’t at the grocery store and were someplace you weren’t supposed to be and were getting into something you should not have been getting into. Or, would you say that a 24 hour store is literally open all day and all night? Kind of obvious, isn’t it? I suppose it depends on who you are speaking to, but using literally when giving factual information is a bit redundant and might be taken as offensive.
The bottom line: It is possible that you literally rolled out of bed (if you physically rolled out of bed – ouch) but not likely that you are literally in a pickle. If you are trying to emphasize that you are in some sort of trouble, if you are literally in a pickle, that’s probably a bigger problem and you can’t be upset if someone asks, “Dill or sweet?”
If you really must use a four-syllable word to make your point, try one of these (only one, once in a blue moon – otherwise you sound pretentious):
I think you will have much better luck while sounding quite smart. Afterall, if some things literally happened, Rachel Zoe would not have a head on her shoulders and Beyonce would not have a shirt on her back.
