Here’s the first installment in a long list of “grammar gripes:” the misuse of the word “literally.”

Earlier this week, I overheard someone say, “… he was so mad, his head literally exploded.”

Umm, no. I don’t think there’s ever been a documented case of someone’s head literally exploding from anger. Or of a pitcher literally throwing his back at a batter, as one commentator recently suggested during a Twins game.

“Literally” means “it actually happened, exactly as I’m describing it.”

Using it in any other context just sounds dorky. Literally.