I just did a quick order of magnitude calculation to see how many times that exact comment has been written in response to a story on the internet containing the word "decimate," and I came up with 10^7.
I have no problem with people using the word "decimate" loosely. It's the word "literally" that gets me. If you say, "I literally have to decimate the pool", then it should be the literal definition of decimate you're talking about.
The word "literally" literally means "word by word, letter by letter." So I assume that since you're such a stickler, you only use it to talk about transcribing the scripture... right?
Or, put another way, get over yourself. Language evolves. And "literally" has been used in ways you would consider "wrong" for several hundred years now.
I wasn't using the word "literally" literally, but that's okay because I never said I was.
I guess I'm a stickler because I think words work better when they have strong, precise meanings. Over time, these meanings tend to get watered down, and I think that's a shame.
