Bush is, literally, an incredible speaker.

[conuly]

It is incredible how incredible he is!

*laughs at bad joke*

All joking aside, I have a question. Most people (and this includes me) dislike the more figurative use of the word "literal" as an intensifier. If you're standing here talking to me, you didn't literally die of shock.

And no, I don't especially care in an emotional way that it's been used that way for a few hundred years. I care in a less-deep-seated way - keeps me from complaining about it out loud - but really, it's one of those facts nobody really believes.

But nobody minds the use of incredible as a similar intensifier, or unbelievable. "That jump was unbelievable!" "That movie is just incredible!" Really? The movie is completely false but purporting to be true? You don't believe the jump was made?

Why is this?

(Incidentally, I read a comment lately complaining about how some people use y'all in the singular, and "all y'all" in the plural. "That's just not right!" While I agree it grates on my ears, it's no more "not right" than using you in the singular. And if y'all is acceptable, youse and you'uns and yinz ought to be as well. Less hypocrisy, more thought, mmmmkay?)

Comments

[rho]

Could you give a non-simplistic example? I'm genuinely interested in the idea you're presenting, but not sure whether I can agree with it or not.

[opalcat.livejournal.com]

I think it could be boiled down to this idea: think of something you DO consider unique (in whatever global set you're comparing it to). Now imagine something ten times more bizarre. Chances are you've got an example of my "more unique" theory.

Imagine you read a book with a truly unique storyline. (Yeah, I know that's unlikely). Now imagine if the same book was printed in green ink on razorblades and required six AA batteries just to open the cover.

I realize my example and explanation rely on the bizarre and unlikely, but it's just the easiest way to present the concept. I could probably come up with more realistic examples but honestly I don't have time to put that much effort into it right now. It could be an interesting idea for an essay at some point in the future.