This Blog Post is Actually Good
My list of known pet peeves are rather short:
- People who put their drinks next to coaster and not on top of coasters
- People who don't lock doors
- The improper use of "literally"
- The over-use of "actually"
The two I'd like to focus on are the last two. Literally, you sound stupid when you put literally in the middle of a sentence. As a general rule of thumb, don't use the word literally unless what you're saying is literal. Maybe just avoid using the word entirely because it really adds no value, nor do most people use it correctly.
What bothers me more than 'literally' is "actually," because I find it rather offensive. Here are the three times 'actually,' actually bothered me.
1. "This house is actually nice."
A girl once walked into my recently purchased house and as she walked up the stairs, I heard her mutter, "This house is actually nice."
The "actually" in the sentence makes it seem like it would be surprising that the house I invested my life's savings in would be nice. Why would I invest in something shitty?
Thank for your support... sort of?
2. "I actually like the slide you made."
I was at work and the marketing head told me he "actually" thought something I did was good. I'm sorry, is most of what I do not good? Are we shocked that someone who graduated from a university Magna Cum Laude can make something valuable? Because it sure sounds like we are.
3. "Literally, your blog is actually legit."
Phew. Let's cram in so many pet peeves into one sentence.
- Literally, explain to me how you can literally be legit? I guess we're legit because we've hosted an entire Brunch Weekend that raised thousands of dollars. And I guess we're legit because we're an LLC and have worked with companies like Groupon and Warby Parker. Yeah, maybe we're literally legit, but it still doesn't quite work.
- Actually, why wouldn't we be legit? If I were to speak candidly, I would say that anyone who is pursuing a dream, no matter how big or how small, is legit. It's not 'actually' legit, but just legit. The only way you can be not-actually legit is to no work toward something.
When you're trying to compliment someone, maybe try to mask your surprise? The one simple rule is to just stop saying 'actually.'
Actually, thanks for reading through this and actually considering stopping using the word 'actually.'