I imagine that Catholics might appreciate a little more clarity on this issue. Just for expected utility calculations and so forth.
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The Metro is worth every penny it's readers pay for it.
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I hope the Pope clarifies his position on the Easter Bunny and Santa Clause as well.
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Didn’t the Roman Emperor Constantine wipe out the existing culture and religion of the Europe to inforce Christianity and appropriated some of the good rituals of
#Paganism (as we call them now ) and butchered those in the name of#WitchHunt who defied his authority ??? - 1 more reply
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I’ve given up and decided that the proper use of the word “literally” is dead and gone. Figuratively that is.
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I literally died of laughter. Oh wait. No I didn't.
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It. Exists because You think it does.
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Millennials ought to be forbidden to use the word 'literally' unless they demonstrate competence in using the word 'figuratively' in a sentence
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I have to say I find it quite pleasant that Pope Francis enjoys regularly chatting with "a nonbeliever who stimulates him".
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Now if that nasty business empire is sold off & proceeds to pay reparations for violent colonialism
#cdnpolipic.twitter.com/LyaZ4njBq4
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Pretty funny... but is it funnier than the hat..?
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Just checked the satellite footage. It’s still there.
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R.I.P., the English language. Even the newspapers are at this 'literally' stage now.
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Professor Pinker you are an educated man. Perhaps you can tell me why the use of a hyperbolic antonym whips so many into a frenzy. Especially one who’s usage dates back to Charles Dickens?
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It's because many people don't use the word "literally" as hyperbole. They are misusing it because of a general lack of language comprehension. It's indicative of a general decrease in language comprehension.
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But it is not a lack of comprehension. Everyone knows that figuratively is the opposite meaning of literally that’s why it’s used as a sarcastic term. I’m not prepared to treat the average English speaker as quite that stupid
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It has nothing to do with intelligence. I don't believe the average English speaker is unintelligent, and I also believe that on avg they know what it means. But I think think language comprehension is going downhill fast (not due to stupidity) and results in this kind of thing
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By "this kind of thing" I mean that the misuse of this term (and things like this) lead to it being used more as an intensifier, and not as hyperbole.
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I understand your objection to the general trend. I agree. An inability to make some people understand what a definition even is is infuriating. But I don’t understand the objection to the use of this particular term when, in this form it is literally literally used by Dickens
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"But I don’t understand the objection to the use of this particular term when" Fair enough. At the end of the day language is only a tool to convey a message, and isn't some sacred thing, so I can see why you hold that opinion
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I’m glad we could discuss it without degenerating into insulting each other. Twitter is exhausting some days
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