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cover of episode 171. Where Is the Line Between Exaggeration and Lying?

171. Where Is the Line Between Exaggeration and Lying?

2023/11/12
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No Stupid Questions

Chapters

Angela Duckworth and Mike Man discuss the misuse of the word 'literally' and its evolution in language, reflecting on how it has shifted from its literal meaning to a figurative intensifier.

Shownotes Transcript

Why do we use “literally” figuratively? Does conveying an "emotional truth" justify making things up? And are Angela’s kids really starving or just hungry? 

 

RESOURCES:

EXTRAS:

SOURCES:

  • Holly Cole), assistant professor of psychology at Wesleyan College.
  • Daniel Kahneman), professor emeritus of psychology and public affairs at Princeton University.
  • Mark Liberman), professor of linguistics and computer and information science at the University of Pennsylvania.
  • Lois Lowry), author.
  • John McWhorter), professor of English and comparative literature at Columbia Unviersity.
  • Hasan Minhaj), comedian.