Overheard on Political Radio Today

"These are the same people who are literally urinating on the constitution." (emphasis NOT added, they said it that way!)

It's because of statements like this that I no longer listen to politically-charged radio or television. I could go on and on about the ad hominem arguments thrown about on such shows (e.g., "these are the same right wingers who think it's fine to spend our money on foreign aid" or "these are the same liberals who clamor for accountability"). Both sides of talking heads make me sick on this point - we are a country of people, not of ideological agendas - but neither of them make me more angry as an amateur grammarian than when someone makes such a ridiculous use of the word 'literally.'

'Literally' means: not figuratively, but instead, what actually happened. 'Literally' is not a synonym for 'seriously' or 'all but' or 'not really but almost like.' And our relaxation of the literal meaning of literally is on the verge of sending 'literally' to the same fate as 'irregardless,' which is, namely, incorrect acceptance as a bastardization of our language. Seriously, are we to believe that one party actually broke into the museum, tore the Constitution from the glass case, and took a piss on it?

And if you doubt me, answer this: what's next? No distinction between its and it's? Atrocious mangling of plurals and possessives - like "Seven Item's or Less"? Acceptance of 'traveling' over 'travelling' (oops - that already happened)?

No, my brothers and sisters! Take up arms against this slack-jawed use of the language! Respond the same way you would if someone gave you the wrong change for your soup at the deli!