I grew up in the San Fernando Valley in the 1980s.  So, like, I grew up with “like” as, like, part of my vocabulary.  I’m still doing my best to eliminate it, but I have to say it really depends on who I’m talking with.  If I’m around someone who uses it freely, it creeps its way back in, and quickly.  I say all this, because I need to make it abundantly clear that it’s not the people who use, or should I say MISuse “literally” that really bother me, it’s the fact that “literally” has taken on this life of its own and is seeping into everyone’s vernacular.

Here’s what “literally” means to me — “in a strict sense of the word or words, NOT figurative or metaphorical”

Here’s what “literally” has become–A way to sound dramatic and emphasize every detail of one’s day.

I think the reason this upsets me so much is that I LOVE wordplay.  I love when people are clever with words.  So, if I call someone on the phone and that person is on her way to meet me and ACTUALLY has one foot outside her front door, I would delight to hear her say, “I literally have one foot out the door!”  YES!  Perfect time to use this word.

But, “literally” is now dropped around like the word “like” or the stalling “umm.”  It’s become lazy and dramatic, but sadly loses all its pizzaz when so overused.  I used to hold my breath, waiting for the awesome witty punchline at the other side of hearing this word spoken.  And, now, it’s the other way around.  I’m surprised and excited when someone actually uses it correctly.

Maybe someone was hanging upside down somewhere and had a life epiphany and literally saw the world in a new way.  Or even our daughter, at three years old, if I said I was going to go hop in the shower, would shout to me, “Not literally though!”

So, the two main ways I see this word overused and abused are:

–Using literally to mean “actually.”  Now, unfortunately, a dictionary’s job is simply to record language, not write it, and has thus added the “use for emphasis” to the definition of this word, and therefore killed it.  So, when I hear, “I literally just…” I cringe.  Because it is never, never going to be used correctly (in my opinion) with a “just” these days.  I literally just saw him.  I literally just said that.  I literally just went there.  I hear this type of example all. the. time, and Oh, how it breaks my heart.  (Not literally though, mind you!)

But, it’s this second way that really bums me out the most…

–The other horrible abuse this word gets is when people use it with a metaphorical expression that is absolutely not the truth.  So, if Flynn Rider tells Rapunzel he wants to get out of her hair–LITERALLY, then, that’s awesome.  YAY!  But, if someone says their mind literally exploded, then I…I have no words for this sad, sad death of a really great word.

Shows, movies, celebrities, politicians, well-educated people I admire…This word is abused every day.  Now, some shows and movies do get it right.  The example above from Tangled or when Bonnie literally makes a new friend in class in Toy Story 4.  And some shows do use it in a very tongue-in-cheek way.  But, Come on screen writers, authors, professors!  Get it together.  Save this lovely word from the direction it’s headed.

This is such a fun and delightful word.  But, save it, keep it.  Hold on to it.  Because one day when it’s raining really hard outside and your kid’s stuffed animals fall off the roof, you can say, “It’s literally raining cats and dogs.”  Or when my daughter was watching a Toy Story short the other day and Mr. Potato Head’s body was knocked away from his shoes, she exclaimed, “He was literally knocked off his feet!”  These are the sparkling moments that make literally worth waiting for.

My idea of famous people, I realize, is far different than most people’s.  I fantasize about meeting authors and bloggers mostly.  Here are some I’d love to meet (in no particular order in each category):

Not to sound too crazy…I’d love to be best friends/neighbors and have a knitting circle at least once a week with:
Grace Lin
Alana Chernila
Philippa Boyens

I’d love to have a long afternoon tea chat with:
Shannon Hale
Amanda Blake Soule

I’d love to have a casual “interview” with:
Jane Goodall
LeVar Burton
Annie Leonard

I’d love to have a crazy, silly adventure with:
SARK
Amy Karol

I’d love to play a group board game with:
Michael Cera
Elijah Wood and all the other three hobbits from LOTR

I’d love to have fun dancing on a dance floor with:
Steve Carrell
Drew Barrymore
Rashida Jones

No doubt, I’ll think of more.  So, if you’re famous, and, of course, spending your time reading my blog (ha!), don’t feel left out.  And these names, I’m realizing, can move between categories and overlap quite a bit, so no worries Michael Cera–You are totally invited to the dance floor, and Philippa–Heck ya, you can join me and the hobbits for a board game.

But, mostly, really, since all my bestest of friends are from such different times of my life and live all scattered about, wouldn’t it be rad to have all of them in one place?  Maybe this is why people throw such big weddings, instead of a self-uniting marriage in the forest.  hmmm…

Shopping Cart Fabric Handle Covers

These fabric handles can be snapped onto grocery cart handles while shopping. 

Each handle is triple-layered fabric.  It should fit snuggly over most grocery cart handles.  There is a design on one side and a plain side, so you will be able to tell which part is which.

—Sanitize cart handle as needed.

—Place the cover over the handle.

—Snap below.  

—Don’t forget to take your cover with you after shopping.  You can place it in a small bag and wash when you get home.

You can visit www.keepinthesunlight.com/cartcovers for more info and photos.

Thank you for all you are doing for our community to stay healthy and strong!