Just because it had been used occasionally in the past is irrelevant (notably in metaphors or hyperbole). If anything, those literary uses strengthen the denotaton of the word.
1530s, “in a literal sense, according to the exact meaning of the word or words used,” from literal + -ly
The dictionary (OED) is built around common usage and clearly shows common usage for a long time.
Just because illiterate Kardashians use it incorrectly doesn’t mean the rest of us should.
Getting upset at people using literally in a figurative manner is popular these days, but it isn’t based on an actual change in usage. There are actually dozens of other words used euphemistically as intensifiers in the same way (‘totally’, ‘absolutely’, ‘fantastic’, ‘amazing’), but no one seems to mind for some reason.
It’s changed massively in recent decades.
Just because it had been used occasionally in the past is irrelevant (notably in metaphors or hyperbole). If anything, those literary uses strengthen the denotaton of the word.
The dictionary (OED) is built around common usage and clearly shows common usage for a long time.
Just because illiterate Kardashians use it incorrectly doesn’t mean the rest of us should.
You are wrong.
Getting upset at people using literally in a figurative manner is popular these days, but it isn’t based on an actual change in usage. There are actually dozens of other words used euphemistically as intensifiers in the same way (‘totally’, ‘absolutely’, ‘fantastic’, ‘amazing’), but no one seems to mind for some reason.
The dictionary is infamously slow to change based on common use.