1 upvotes, 1 direct replies (showing 1)
View submission: The history of the /r/xkcd kerfuffle.
It's not a new dictionary entry, and it's not a new use of the word. It's in the OED as
Used to indicate that some (freq. conventional) metaphorical or hyperbolical expression is to be taken in the strongest admissible sense: ‘virtually, as good as’; (also) ‘completely, utterly, absolutely’.
And the first reference is from 1769:
1769 F. Brooke Hist. Emily Montague IV. ccxvii. 83 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.
Hell, it's used in one of the greatest American books ever written
1876 ‘M. Twain’ Adventures Tom Sawyer ii. 20 And when the middle of the afternoon came, from being a poor poverty-stricken boy in the morning, Tom was literally rolling in wealth.
So if we could all stop being prescriptivist pedants, that would be great.
Also, Any news on Randall's sweet, sweet revenge? Did we miss it?
Comment by Wyboth at 30/05/2014 at 02:24 UTC
0 upvotes, 2 direct replies
He never followed through, sadly. I don't know why, because he asked me to leave it to him, and not to ask him about it again.