Patrick Cox

Patrick Cox

Patrick Cox runs The World's language desk. He reports and edits stories about the globalization of English, the bilingual brain, translation technology and more. He also hosts The World's podcast on language, The World in Words.

Are Norwegians Literally Born on Skis?

July 5, 2012 ⋅ Post a comment
Photo: Flickr/djtomdog

Photo: Flickr/djtomdog

Britons are again chortling over the misuse of the word literally, after Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg said: “You see people literally in a different galaxy who are paying extraordinary low rates of tax.”

That’s a long way to go to avoid high tax rates.

Other great uses of literally:

  • Soccer player Michael Owen described as “literally a greyhound.”
  • Norwegians who are “literally born on skis.”
  • Popular books that “literally fly off the shelves.”
  • An extremely precise weather forecast that calls for “literally just a spot or two of rain.”

Also in this week’s podcast:

Many courts in the US are cutting costs by using unqualified court interpreters. Local courts say they often can’t afford the fees for certified interpreters. But a growing number of non-English speakers are using the court system. Interpreters argue that miscarriages of justice will become more common if courts use untrained interpreters.

Discussion

4 comments for “Are Norwegians Literally Born on Skis?”

  • Alex B.

    I feel like Augustus Waters would enjoy this podcast.

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=745623188 Robert Goh

    My favorite misuse of word “literally” is from an American football game commentary:-
     ”He literally exploded on the touchdown line”

  • Sventron

    Rick Perry – “…we’re going to see Iran, in my opinion, move back in at literally at the speed of light.”

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2R2Bylsanqs

  • http://twitter.com/language_news Judy Jenner

    Great insight into this overused and abused term. Thanks for this insightful podcast, and thanks for including the info about Nevada court interpreters.