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How The English Language Changes

This goes out to the people who hate it when people misuse "literally."

Rachel Lowry

Apr 10, 2017

Bloomsburg University

Business Insider

This goes out to the people who get annoyed when someone misuses "literally".

Please stop. Please. Stop. It's way more annoying when you point it out. The word has two meanings now. I'm serious, look it up.

Literally: Actually; without exaggeration or inaccuracy

Literally: In effect; in substance; very nearly; virtually

The word, literally, has been given another definition due to many people using the word in a new way. But this is not a bad thing. Literally since the beginning of English, words have changed and evolved. Some words have brand new meanings. Some words have fallen out of style while some new words take their place. Language is not stationary and it never was. it's natural for words to take on new meanings over time. if you listen closely you can hear different words and phrases that are slowly going out of style.

For example, what do you say when someone says "thank you"?

I'm sure a lot of you said "you're welcome," but is that what you really say? I'm sure a lot of people will find themselves saying "no problem" more often then not. Think about it the next time you help someone.

When we were children, first learning about manners, we were taught to say "your welcome" after receiving thanks. This was what our parents and grandparents said so we said it too. As we started to grow up we started to say "no problem" to our friends and over time, "no problem" has become a perfectly valid response to "thank you".

There is nothing wrong with this evolution of language, in fact it's completely normal. Language evolves and changes the same way it always has. The reason you can't understand a lot of older literature comes down to the fact that the language has changed so much that it feels like a completely different language.

The next time you go to criticize someone for misusing the word "literally", admire the fact that you're watching our language grow and evolve.

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This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.

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