What well used words are no longer used correctly?
As in, their true definition is not the way people use them.
Example, people using "literally" instead of figuratively.
Example, people using "literally" instead of figuratively.
26-30, F
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Faust76 · 46-50, M
Hwæt! Wé Gárdena in géardagum
þéodcyninga þrym gefrúnon
hú ðá æþelingas ellen fremedon.
It's perhaps better to ask, when does the way that people actually use language become the "correct" way?
þéodcyninga þrym gefrúnon
hú ðá æþelingas ellen fremedon.
It's perhaps better to ask, when does the way that people actually use language become the "correct" way?
Faust76 · 46-50, M
@Fangirlsarah1996 The stanza at the beginning of my reply is from Beowulf, an Old English epic poem from around year 1000. That's how you correctly speak English, you dolt! :p
In other words, language changes. These changes are usually hard to put a finger on, of course. For example, the word "hacker" was defined and put in dictionary as meaning computer-tinkerers, but the media started to use it exclusively for criminals, and within a year or two that became the accepted use.
By contrast, "ironically" and "literally" for example have been used in a different meaning for pretty much all their existence, but people still insist they mean something else. We humor them, but ironically people literally get it when people use them differently.
In other words, language changes. These changes are usually hard to put a finger on, of course. For example, the word "hacker" was defined and put in dictionary as meaning computer-tinkerers, but the media started to use it exclusively for criminals, and within a year or two that became the accepted use.
By contrast, "ironically" and "literally" for example have been used in a different meaning for pretty much all their existence, but people still insist they mean something else. We humor them, but ironically people literally get it when people use them differently.
Jay04Sch · 46-50, F
@Fangirlsarah1996 English is my second language. I don't speak or write English the same way as people who's first language is English. We adapt.