Grammar nitpickers rejoice: Google Chrome extension replaces 'literally' with 'figuratively'
Language nitpickers, unite.聽
A new Google Chrome can now replace almost every instance of the word 鈥渓iterally鈥� with the word "figuratively" on websites. (Some instances, like the word appearing in tweets, will not be taken out.)
English-language sticklers have long been peeved by the technically incorrect use of the word 鈥渓iterally,鈥� as in the sentence 鈥淚 am literally dying of thirst right now.鈥� Those sticklers would point out that you mean 鈥渇iguratively,鈥� not 鈥渓iterally,鈥� as chances are you merely want a cool beverage and are not actually in any medical danger.
Of course, the fact that the Google Chrome extension replaces almost every use of the word 鈥渓iterally鈥� with 鈥渇iguratively鈥� means that correct uses of 鈥渓iterally鈥� will be taken out as well.
As pointed out by , those who bemoan the incorrect use of 鈥渓iterally鈥� are losing ground: even the venerable Oxford English Dictionary added the definition 鈥渦sed for emphasis rather than being actually true鈥� to its entry for 鈥渓iterally鈥� in 2011.聽
The incorrect use of the word is nothing new, however. writer Steve Hawkes cites writer Frances Brooke as the earliest person to make the slip. In 1769, Brooke wrote, 鈥淗e 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.鈥澛�
Meanwhile, author Mark Twain wrote in 鈥淭he Adventures of Tom Sawyer鈥� that his hero was 鈥渓iterally rolling in wealth.鈥�
