"Literally"

When the English language was created, the word “literally/literal” had a straight definition of “actually” or “exactly.”  In the more recent years, the word “literally” has been turned into a dry metaphor that is appearing to be gaudier than intended.  Literally has such a deadpan feeling when it’s said, that it has no meaning as of late.  When using literally in a sense that would make good context, you could say “I literally only got six hours of sleep last night,” which could be true in a sense.  But, if someone says “I literally almost died,” while swimming in the deep end of a pool, that’s a dry exaggeration that isn’t appealing or wholesome in any way.  In an ironic way, nothing means anything when someone places the word “literally” in front of it anymore.  If the truth is covered up by a metaphor that was never introduced in the English language as a metaphor, then the whole idea of properly using words is irrelevant.  Saying words matter-of-factly now has crippled the structural form of the language just because of one laconic metaphor—the language is bound for downfall.  The word has circulated books and minds since the end of the 17th century, but it’s only been a generation or so that has—along with other overused expressions and vulgar slang—physically abused the Dictionary when it comes to speaking words with a purpose, rather than for faddish entertainment.  The English Language has been harrowed bitterly; the seemingly innocuous expression has put the world on a mental strain.