Update: Correction in the comments. I was tempted to take this down but am keeping it up for my own admonishment.
There have been decades of complaints against people using the word literally when they clearly meant figuratively. Even CS Lewis was called to task for it in the 40's after a woman wrote in to correct him for making the mistake on a broadcast. He fully apologised, noting that she could not possibly upbraid him on this score more than he was upbraiding himself.
I believe things have gotten worse still. I saw this tweet today and realised I have seen usage like this before. I have recently railed against people using words like "unquestionably," or "undeniably," or "clearly" as bullying words, meant to intimidate others into silence by suggesting that they would be unable to mount enough defense to overcome what what the rest of the world considers "obvious." The reality is usually that the writer or speaker cannot come up with a logical defense of his own, and thus resorts to a shaming tactic. A successful refutation, once one takes a breath and considers it calmly, is often quite simple, though it usually would take some time, as much jungle would have to be removed.
"Literally," has now descended into that category. The statement he refers to is not only not literally true, it is not even figuratively true. It is untrue, but stated in bullying tone.
I think he's saying that equating white people with a virus we're doing our best to exterminate can't be interpreted in any way other than calling for the killing of all white people, which equals genocide. Granted, the person making the literal call probably is engaging in foolish hyperbole, but that's a different quibble.
ReplyDeleteMy father used to like to say "intuitively obvious to the most casual observer," a dodge that mathematicians resorted to when they couldn't or wouldn't be bothered to explain a transition. In law school, we were cautioned against using "clearly," etc., not because they were bullying, but because they connoted a lack of confidence in our arguments. Judges could be expected to think irritably, "If it's so clear, show me, don't tell me. What are you hiding?"
Unique is my current favorite. "Largely unique," "very unique," "highly unique," etc.
ReplyDeleteAh yes, I had this reversed who is saying what. Thank you. I may take the whole thing down.
ReplyDeleteHa! I wish I had edit power on motorcycle boards. I'm a frustrated editor. I have a small collection of funny errors and such. One guy over at the CX500 (Honda) board wrote about someone that"gave beyond the ultimate sacrifice" and apologized for the "the late delay" while working on his bike for "longer hat eternity" he also thought my bike was "excessive overkill" (I like just the right amount of overkill thank-you very much). He bought his bike "from the previous owner before him" and was working to make it "more perfect" when he ran into a "random stranger" that sold him some "optional extras" including and electric fan to keep his "thermal temperatures" down. Now it's "Complete" except for a few things. Like his "breaks, "because "there" not working right. Now, one guy didn't say all these things at once. I just put them altogether sort of Brian Williams style making it as if it were a single man (not meaning not married) at the time. Although these are genuine gems I've collected from a veritable plethora of a variety of posters.
ReplyDeleteCheers, 50gary. (The Master of the Obvious)
Yes, well I have a similar reaction to marketing blitzes that entice with offers of a "Free Gift". Thank you. Make mine a Live Corpse, please.
ReplyDeleteI'm also reminded of the weatherman some years ago who explained that it was getting colder as the temperature dropped.
ReplyDeleteOr the river widened after The Narrows.
ReplyDelete“All facts unite to demonstrate” is my favorite.
ReplyDeleteOoh, I like that one, yes.
ReplyDelete