The One Word I’d Ban Forever and Why

We all have that one word. You know, the one that makes you physically cringe every time someone says it. If I had the magical ability to erase any word from existence, my choice would be clear as day. Let’s talk about it—and why picking on one little word can be so oddly satisfying.

What Word Would I Ban? “Literally.”

Yes, literally! Hear me out. It’s not the word itself that’s the problem. It’s how people abuse it. We’ve collectively strangled the poor thing until it no longer means what it’s supposed to mean.

Think about it: “I was literally dying of laughter!” Um… were you? Unless an ambulance was en route, I’m guessing not. Or, “I’m literally obsessed!” Are you, though? It’s gotten to the point where people sprinkle it into sentences like some flavorless garnish, hoping to sound dramatic.

What Did “Literally” Ever Do to Deserve This?

For starters, it used to mean something specific: exactly as written or stated. If you said, “I literally climbed Mount Everest,” it meant you ACTUALLY did it—not that your hike up a large hill felt intense. But in recent years, “literally” has been downgraded to a figure of speech. It’s now the exact opposite of itself. Don’t believe me? Even dictionaries list “used for emphasis” as a secondary definition.

We’ve turned a precise word into a linguistic free-for-all. It’s like chopping firewood with laser scalpels—it works, but why?

The Downfall of Dramatic Communication

When “literally” is thrown around too freely, it starts to feel like the verbal equivalent of crying wolf. It weakens the impact of genuine statements. If your roommate says, “I’m literally starving!” (when they just ate two hours ago), how can you take them seriously? It’s theatrical overkill, and let’s be real—most of the time, we’re not even trying to exaggerate for humor. It’s just a bad habit.

The irony is that we already have options like “figuratively,” “actually,” or “seriously,” which all do the job better depending on context. “Literally” didn’t need this role, yet here we are forcing it onto the main stage. Poor thing’s exhausted.

What’s the Big Deal? Language Is Evolving

Now, I get it. Language is fluid. Words shift in meaning. I’m not here to gatekeep vocabulary—I know Shakespeare and Dickens messed with words too. But here’s the thing: just because language changes doesn’t mean every evolution is helpful. Some tweaks muddy communication.

“Literally” is the linguistic equivalent of duct tape slapped onto everything. We slap it on sentences to make them sound stronger, when in reality, it adds nothing. Can we at least agree it’s overworked and deserves a break?

What Would Happen If We Actually Banned It?

If “literally” disappeared tomorrow, I think people would survive just fine. Writers would find more creative ways to express emphasis. Casual conversation might get a bit quieter, but hey, there’s no loss in trimming some unnecessary fluff.

Better yet, it might force us to mean what we say again. If you really are hiking Everest or genuinely obsessed with donuts, people might believe you without rolling their eyes. Plus, think of the newfound respect “figuratively” would finally get. That poor word has been ignored for far too long.

So, Why Does This Matter?

It’s easy to brush off this topic as nitpicky. But the way we use words shapes how we think, connect, and even argue. Words like “literally” are tools—and tools need purpose, or they lose their sharpness. When words get misused, they eventually become pointless background noise.

That said, banning a word probably wouldn’t stop people from inventing equally irritating replacements. Yet, the dream of a world where “literally” doesn’t dominate every slightly dramatic sentence brings me figurative peace.

Final Thoughts

Would life go on without “literally”? Absolutely. Am I being overly petty about it? Maybe. But let’s admit it—every time someone misuses “literally,” a tiny part of us dies inside (figuratively speaking, of course).

So here’s the challenge: let’s give “literally” a much-needed retirement. Use it sparingly, with purpose, and for its actual definition. And hey, if we can’t, maybe I’ll go ahead and apply for that word-banning magic after all.