Despite the fact that even Charlotte Brontë used the word “literally” to mean “figuratively,” using the word in a hyperbolic or figurative way is a practice that many grammar lovers resent. Now, one East Village bar is taking grammar-policing a step further, banning the word “literally” from its premises altogether.
Dive bar Continental posted a sign in its window this week reading: “Sorry but if you say the word ‘literally’ inside Continental you have 5 minutes to finish your drink and then you must leave. If you actually start a sentence with ‘I literally’ you must leave immediately!!! This is the most overused, annoying word in the English language and we will not tolerate it. Stop Kardashianism now!”
The notice began to gain attention online when Twitter user @evgrieve posted a picture of it (taken by @edenbrower) Wednesday. Owner Trigger Smith told Grubstreet that “the policy is tongue-in-cheek, but he really does hate the word.”
East Village bar the Continental expounds on their (tongue-in-cheek) ban on the word literally. Their stated goal now is to stop “Kardashianism.” cc: @edenbrower pic.twitter.com/iI0N41qCgt
— evgrieve (@evgrieve) January 24, 2018
“What’s annoying is people aren’t even aware they’re saying it,” he said. “How could you be so unaware of your words that it’s coming out every couple minutes?”
As could be expected, the rule made a splash online, with some irritated by the condescending nature of the note, though others were amused by it.
One Twitter user loved the idea.
I LOVE this policy. Both its content and the idea that private establishments should be able to set the rules for their clients. https://t.co/AmIiYPQSTV
— Emily Jillette (@EmilyJillette) January 25, 2018
Others had some fun with ~word play~:
So they will be actually kicking them out or am I taking this too literally
— Rob Simmons (@simmorobbo) January 25, 2018
https://twitter.com/ChaseMit/status/956678384637034496
This person had the ultimate slam dunk:
This bar literally filed for bankruptcy and is closing this summer pic.twitter.com/x7PWI7XuvX
— lara bee says (@larabeesays) January 25, 2018
As Grubstreet points out, the bar is set to close in the coming months anyhow, so its controversial linguistic policies won’t have lasting effects. People have been using the word “literally” to mean “figuratively” for nearly 250 years — there’s *adopts Chris Traeger voice* lit-rally no way they’re stopping anytime soon.
