November 4, 2006

"Literally."

I normally resist the routine pedantry of pointing out the misusage of the word "literally." But this one's a lulu:
Anyone who had been diligently paying down a mortgage and others who had just sat back and watched their home appreciate in value were able to refinance and take out the difference between the value of the home and what was still owed, known as equity. Not only did they remove the increased equity in the home as cash, most people were paying lower monthly payments.

“People have literally picked up their house at the foundations and shook it upside down like a piggy bank,” said Ed Smith, chief executive of the Plaza Financial Group, a mortgage brokerage firm in La Mesa, Calif., near San Diego.

7 comments:

JohnF said...

"their house"?

Pat Patterson said...

It's the proximity to the border and the ability to hire hundreds of day labor to do the types of menial labor that Americans won't.

Anonymous said...

he's talking about the Gigantics,who are indeed large, but who also live in tiny houses made of balsa wood and twine.

tiggeril said...

Holy crap! I'm callling them next time I need a jar opened.

Ron said...

No, the usage is correct...for bobos from Krypton!
(undoubtedly David Brooks' next book about superempowered individuals!)

Anonymous said...

People inclined to pick up their houses and shake them need good broke-rage firms, like Ed’s. He probably offers Tilt and misDeed insurance on his mortgages, as well as hearthquake coverage.

Jinnmabe said...

I normally resist the routine pedantry of pointing out the misusage of the word "literally."

Only because it happens all the freaking time. I can't even remember the last time I heard it used correctly.