For those of us who depend upon words for our livelihood, there is a grammar offense that makes us literally pull our hair out. And you just saw it. Literally. The word that’s been making grammar enthusiasts twitch and linguists chuckle for centuries. It’s the little word that can confuse, infuriate, and evolve all at once.

Far too often, people use literally when they really mean figuratively. If we literally pulled our hair out every time we hear this misused word, we’d spend a lot less time holding a comb in the morning. Such a sloppy use of a perfectly acceptable English word must be attributed to declined educational standards or have something to do with the atrocious music embraced by the younger generation — that’s true, at least, if Grandma’s sage comments are to be given any weight.

Surprisingly, the use of literally to mean its opposite, isn’t some modern corruption of language by teenage influencers and beauty pageant contestants. No, this phenomenon has been around for over 200 years. It has gotten to the point where the Oxford English Dictionary (OED) has had to say, “Calm down, folks. This is fine.”

So, take a deep breath, a step back from the ledge, and join us as we explore the evolution of this commonly misused word.

What Is the Difference Between Literally and Figuratively?

When you are searching for an exaggerated way to describe something, the word that likely fits most appropriately is figuratively. Its definition is “with a meaning that is metaphorical rather than literal.” For example, “I was trying to research how the movie Herbie Goes Bananas was a direct cause of one of the worst radioactive disasters in history, but I ran into a wall.” Presumably, your body did not collide with a wall while you were doing your research. You likely were using hyperbole to illustrate a point. In other words, you “figuratively” ran into a wall.

If you did, in fact, smash into a wall during your research, you could say that you literally ran into a wall. You should also see a physician to examine you for a possible concussion and an eye doctor to figure out why you couldn’t see the wall before you ran into it.

The OED Caves to Culture

In 2011, the OED made waves (and possibly gave a few English teachers migraines) when it added a new definition for “literally”:

Used to indicate that some metaphorical or hyperbolical expression is to be taken in the strongest admissible sense.

In simpler terms? It’s the kind of “literally” you hear in sentences like, “I literally died laughing.” While the OED did include a gentle disclaimer acknowledging that this usage might make language purists break out in hives, it’s clear they didn’t add it lightly.

Yes, this “irregular” usage flies in the face of the original meaning of “literally,” which is, of course, not figuratively or metaphorically. But before you grab your pitchforks and grammar books, let’s take a quick trip back in time.

The First “Non-Literal” Use of the Literal Word

The oldest recorded misuse—or, as we like to call it, creative use—of “literally” dates back to The History of Emily Montague (1769) by Frances Brooke. In this groundbreaking novel (it was the first ever set in North America), Brooke writes:

He is a fortunate man to be introduced to such a party of fine women at his arrival; it is literally to feed among the lilies.

Unless lilies were being served as a side dish at this 18th-century gathering, Brooke was clearly using “literally” in a non-literal sense. And yet, here we are, centuries later, still arguing about it.

Words Are a Record, Not a Rule

Much of the outrage over the use of the word stems from a misunderstanding of the role of dictionaries. The OED isn’t the grammar police; it’s more like the historian of words. Once a word or usage makes it in, it stays. Forever.

By adding the additional definition, the OED was not necessarily endorsing the continued misuse — it was merely documenting a trend. Dictionaries, after all, are descriptive, not prescriptive. They tell us how language is used, not how it should be used.

Take “earworm,” for example. That catchy tune you can’t shake was once locked away in the OED’s rejection vault. Yes, there’s a secret vault where proposed but rejected words are stored. And it’s full of gems like:

• Nonversation: A conversation that isn’t going anywhere. (We’ve all been there.)
• Furgling: Fumbling in your pocket for keys or spare change.
• Stealth-geek: Someone who hides their niche interests.
• Polkadodge: The awkward dance of avoiding someone walking directly toward you.

“Literally” broke out of the rejected vault in long ago. Words like “polkadodge” are still waiting for their moment. Who knows? If we keep furgling and having nonversations, they could make the cut.

Words That Aren’t What They Used to Be

The evolution of “literally” is far from unique. The English language is littered (pun intended) with words that don’t mean what they used to. For example:

• Nice: Once an insult meaning “foolish.”
• Bully: Once a term of endearment meaning “darling.”
• Silly: Meant “worthy.”
• Resentment: Meant “gratitude.”
• Clue: Originally referred to a ball of wool. (And here we thought we were unraveling mysteries.)

If you are interested in this topic, you’ll want to read this article with a lot more words that no longer mean what they used to.

Words change meaning over time. It’s what they do. And if you’re still clinging to a “damp squid” of outrage over language misuse, maybe it’s time to let go. After all, it’s damp squib. A squib is a small explosive that needs to stay dry to work. But as a 2009 survey showed, “damp squid” is what most people say. And with every utterance, it marches closer to OED inclusion.

Literally, It’s All Fine

The next time someone says “literally” in a way that makes your inner grammar nerd cringe, take a deep breath and think of Frances Brooke. She was literally feeding among the lilies in 1769, and the English language survived. In fact, it’s thriving—damp squids and all.

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