Arguably - used every day in phrases such as "arguably the best shortstop in the league"; "arguably the greatest thinker since Einstein" etc. There is no way to misuse this word because everything is arguable, making the word a totally useless and meaningless adverb. This is arguably my most hated expression. It literally drives me up the wall.
No Problem - When said by a service worker, friend, colleague, whoever, after you thank them for something they did or gave. It is so impersonal; as if they are barely tolerating you. Seems more common to Gen X's who say it dispassionately in a low monotone; and Gen Y's who say it with more feeling and pleasantness, as if they enjoy helping the unworthy person that you are.
Literally - through rampant misuse of the word it has become acceptable to use it to emphasize a point. In old days the appropriate word would be "figuratively" , "metaphorically" or something else. Literally used to mean "exactly, without exaggeration or hyperbole". Now one can say something like "when I got home late my wife literally exploded!" If only.
"Have some more fruitcake. You've only had one little piece." - no explanation necessary, eh?
Tie for #5 between::
"Step out of the car and keep your hands where I can see them". What'd I do? What'd I do?
" This might be a little uncomfortable." Especially overused by Proctologists. Samuel Johnson would have told them to state it plainly - "this is gonna hurt like L!"
 |
| Arguably the best looking man ever. |
Literally - through rampant misuse of the word it has become acceptable to use it to emphasize a point. In old days the appropriate word would be "figuratively" , "metaphorically" or something else. Literally used to mean "exactly, without exaggeration or hyperbole". Now one can say something like "when I got home late my wife literally exploded!" If only.
"Have some more fruitcake. You've only had one little piece." - no explanation necessary, eh?
Tie for #5 between::
"Step out of the car and keep your hands where I can see them". What'd I do? What'd I do?
" This might be a little uncomfortable." Especially overused by Proctologists. Samuel Johnson would have told them to state it plainly - "this is gonna hurt like L!"
No comments:
Post a Comment