"I literally exploded with laughter..."

“literally” has been so overused as a sort of vague intensifier that it is in danger of losing its literal meaning. It should be used to distinguish between a figurative and a literal meaning of a phrase. It should not be used as a synonym for “actually” or “really.”

Is this part of the so-called dumbing down of America? It's basic English, people. Or is it an example of the constantly changing nature of language? I always strive for precision with language, whether it's speaking or writing, so ventures like this are appreciated. The sad thing is that most of the examples come from journalists and writers who, presumably, should know better. And what about their editors?