Etymology:
The word "literally" comes from the Old English word "litterae," which means "letters." It entered the English language around the 1200s.
Meaning:
In its original sense, "literally" meant "according to the letter" or "in the exact words." For example, if someone said "I literally fell off my chair," they meant that they had physically fallen, not figuratively.
Origin:
The original use of "literally" as an adverb to emphasize the truth or accuracy of a statement emerged in the 18th century. This usage was popularized in literature and rhetoric as a way to draw attention to a statement that might otherwise be ambiguous or figurative.
Current Usage:
Today, "literally" is often used to emphasize a statement that is either hyperbolic or figurative. For example, someone might say "I'm literally starving" to describe feeling very hungry, even though they are not actually on the verge of death from starvation.
This usage has led to some controversy, as it can be seen as undermining the original, more precise meaning of the word. However, it remains a common usage in both formal and informal speech.
Etymology is the study of the origin of words and the way in which their meanings have cha
Etymology The word letter originates from the Old French word lettre which is deriv
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Etymology is the study of the origin of words and how their meaning has changed over time
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