The third element is the frequent use of a dictionary to eliminate misunderstandings.

NEWYORKER: The Apostate

Ralph Benko is a senior economic advisor to the American Principles Project, and is the author of The Websters' Dictionary: How to Use the Web to Transform the World.

FORBES: Magazine Article

Ian Brookes, consultant editor at Collins English Dictionary, agrees the figurative and metaphorical use of the word crept into the English language as an intensifier.

BBC: Why is 'literally' such a troublesome word?

Of the 65, 000 words in the English dictionary, most English-speakers will only use 5-6, 000, Sheedy said.

FORBES: With Swype, Nuance Begins?Quest To Process What We Say -- Everywhere