Daily writing prompt

What is a word you feel that too many people use?

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A word that people seem to use too much these days is “literally.” Originally, “literally” meant something is exactly as stated, without any exaggeration. For example, if you said, “The book was literally on the table,” it meant the book was actually on the table, not just figuratively.

But now, people often use “literally” to make things sound more dramatic or intense, even when it’s not meant to be taken exactly. For instance, saying, “I was literally dying of laughter” is an exaggeration, not a literal statement. This kind of use makes it hard to tell when someone is speaking literally or figuratively. I used to have this colleague who couldn’t go a full sentence without this word. Thankfully, it never affected the ability to deliver his job effectively.

The word “literally” can lose its impact and cause confusion. When it’s overused this way, it can make clear communication more difficult.