Humorous Quote by Tom Rachman
““literally: This word should be deleted. All too often, actions described as “literally” did not happen at all. As in, “He literally jumped out of his skin.” No, he did not. Though if he literally had, I’d suggest raising the element and proposing the piece for page one. Inserting “literally” willy-nilly reinforces the notion that breathless nitwits lurk within this newsroom. Eliminate on sight—the usage, not the nitwits. The nitwits are to be captured””
About This Quote
Source Article: The New Yorker, “The Word ‘Literally’ Is Overused”, 2015
Overuse of “literally” weakens language, turning hyperbole into false statements and eroding credibility.
In simple terms: Using “literally” incorrectly misleads readers.
Key Takeaway
Avoid “literally” unless truly accurate.
Themes
language
communication
precision
Mood
critical
informative
Type
advice
editorial
When to use this quote
- editorial writing
- social media posts
- academic papers
- public speaking
Key Concepts
hyperbole
semantic drift
Questions to Reflect On
- How does misuse affect trust?
- Can you replace it with stronger verbs?
A Different Perspective
Overuse may be hard to curb in casual speech.
