DAILY DIRT: Does it literally drive you crazy when you hear ‘literally’ used, reused and abused?

Daily Dirt for Friday, March 7, 2025

This subject literally is literally akin to fingernails on a chalkboard  … Welcome to today’s three thoughts that make up Vol. 1,222 of The Daily Dirt.

1. Raise your hand if you run into at least one person a day who seems to overuse the word “literally”.

Actually, abuse the word might be more accurate.

I found the following, penned by Chicka Elloy, an Australian-American who is the executive director of Elevate Intelligence, a communication training company:

“How often do you hear the word, ‘literally,’ on a daily basis today? What is the usage ratio of ‘literally,’ to any other word you hear with peers? It is likely that just today, you will hear ‘literally’ used at least 30 times.

“There is no escaping it, ‘literally’ is engrained in the global English speaking culture at the moment, which sends the message that our culture is literally becoming less effective in communication. It seems we have become literally lost in the usage of repetitive diction. 

“The general claim is that using ‘literally’ literally strengthens a sentence because it literally puts an extra emphasis on what (a person is) literally saying ‘literally’ happened. Literally.

“Do we really need to put an emphasis on what happened? I would argue that if it’s a genuinely interesting event, there isn’t a need for an extra word – especially that one.

“So challenge yourself this week, month or forever not to use ‘literally’ anymore. You sound less credible AND if you are using it as a filler which does not constitute the literal meaning of literally.

Here are three substitute words, compliments of jotjotboom.com, to get you going in replacing the overuse of “literally”:

Actually: The first and most obvious substitute. As “literally” is being used to suggest that the speaker’s statement is authentic, “actually” offers a softer, slightly less annoying alternative.

Honestly: Like “actually” above, “honestly” is a great word to make your story or statement sound truthful and authentic.

Really: Another obvious one, but so often hidden behind the social disease that is “literally”. “Really” is a great alternative because it has that same extreme vibe that “literally” addicts are looking for.

2. Did you know (Part 296)

• That Hostess is now offering MINI-Chocolate Frosted Cup Cakes. These could be hu-u-u-uge.
• That Pepperidge Farm will soon be providing a limited edition of Milano Caramel Cafe Au Lait cookies. I have never met a Milano cookie I did not like (or have eaten).
• That Smartfood’s new kettle corn flavor is Brown Butter and Sea Salt. This should really rock.
• That the Doritos Late Night Loaded Taco flavor is now available through all retailers, and just a selected few.
• That General Mills has announced the release of Lucky Charms Jumbo Rainbows for all of you cereal lovers. I’ve never been a big Lucky Charms fan, but these look interesting.

3. Our weekly celebrity birthday wishes go to:

Former Monkees drummer and vocalist Micky Dolenz will be 78 on Saturday. If I hadn’t seen this with my own eyes, I wouldn’t have believed it … but now, I’m A Believer (Thank you! Thank you very much. I’ll be here all week.)

Lester Holt, my favorite network newsman, turns 66, also on Saturday. Lester is retiring later this year.

Martial arts icon Chuck Norris reaches birthday No. 85 on Sunday. Some may not remember The Man once starred in TV series “Walker, Texas Ranger” 1993-2001.

Actress Sharon Stone will be 67, also on Sunday. Two words, and two words only: Basic. Instinct.

Singer Carrie Underwood turns 42, another Sunday birthday. Before “The Voice” there was a little show called “American Idol” (not the version that currently airs, but back when the program was must-see TV), and Ms. Underwood was one of the early personalities that made the show a marvelous weekly adventure.

Steve Thought O’ The Day — Do you realize Micky is the only original member of the Monkees still living? If you didn’t feel old before reading that, I’m sure you do now.

Steve Eighinger writes daily for Muddy River News. If you ever take the last train to Clarksville (Mo.) … or take Mo. 79, stop in at Cherry’s Bar and Grill. Good food, cold beer. Ask for Cathy.