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8 words that have lost all meaning in modern life

Like, literally.

AS MARK MCCABE sang on his seminal classic “Maniac 2000″ – life: it has no meaning.

But what about words? They seem to be losing their meaning at a rate of knots. Words that had fixed, dependable definitions only one generation ago seem to be coming loose and shifting around like some sort of linguistic tectonic plate during an earthquake.

Let’s check out the damage.

Literally

Source: Flickr/Batara

Are you? Oh, are you REALLY?

Hacking

Nowadays, posting a status from a friend’s Facebook account is referred to as “hacking”.

Source: Flickr/fakelvis

It’s not.

Hero

Source: Flickr/jblahblalblah

He got a round in, guys, he didn’t save any children from a burning building.

Random

Source: Flickr/bichxa

Like

Source: Flickr/grisha_21

An Irish verbal tic. We’re all guilty of it.

Banter

Source: Flickr/crashoverreason

Epic

Source: Flickr/Tree Leaf Clover

Seriously, Coppers last night is not to be likened to mythic, heroic acts of bravery.

Legendary

See above.

Source: Flickr/Silence a gogo

What words have lost all meaning for you? Like, literally, just have some epic banter in the comments. 

h/t AskReddit

Read: 13 useful phrases you’ll only hear in Ireland>

Read: “Selfie” has been added to the Irish language dictionary>

About the author:

Fiona Hyde

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