So I say to you, all those self-professed Grammar Nazis—some of whom are actually Punctuation Nazis, if we’re going to be properly pedantic—who pick and complain: leave it be. No one will thank you for your unsolicited nitpicking, and everyone will make mistakes, make style choices, and do things that annoy someone when writing. Even you.
Sincerely,
Zoe Harris
Reformed Nit-picker and Professional Editor
As a person who has a fit at the use of ‘literally’ incorrectly, I have never considered it as an evolution of language. Thank for the food for thought Zoe, maybe now I can stop yelling at Jamie Oliver and just enjoy the show!
I doubt anything can save you from yelling at Jamie Oliver, but this might be just one less reason. 😉 The “literally” thing caused a big stir last year when several dictionaries, Merriam Webster included, added a new meaning, namely, figuratively. See: http://www.salon.com/2013/08/22/according_to_the_dictionary_literally_now_also_means_figuratively_newscred/
Purists called it laziness and butchery, language-evolutionists praised the move, and exaggerators everywhere literally exploded with joy.
I think you’re right, Zoe. If we remember that the primary task of all of this is to share my idea with you, provided I have adequately succeeded in this, what more is there? The other point of balance is between two ideas, the first being that if I am able to help you improve your communication and can, then I should, versus the second consideration that you might not care to have my help at this time.