A New York bar has sparked a debate on social media after implementing a ban on the word ‘literally’. The Continental, an iconic bar in the East Village known for its rocker past and cheap drinks, posted a sign stating that patrons using the word ‘literally’ would be given five minutes to finish their drink and leave. The sign, which was originally posted six years ago, has recently resurfaced on social media.
The sign reads: “Sorry but if you say the word ‘literally’ inside Continental you have 5 minutes to finish your drink and then you must leave. “If you start a sentence with ‘I literally’ you must leave immediately!!! This is the most overused, annoying word in the English language and we will not tolerate it. Stop Kardashianism now!”
While some social media users expressed agreement with the bar’s stance, others were quick to criticize it as an infringement on free speech. One user commented, “Why is any public establishment policing free speech? I literally would never go in there…”. Another user wrote: “Literally f*** you and your bar.” A third commented: “’Kardashianism?’ They do know that Charles Dickens and F. Scott Fitzgerald, among other notable literary greats, used ‘literally’ in the exact same manner we do today, right?”
Despite the criticism, some users supported the bar’s ban. One person wrote, “Amen to this! It’s LITERALLY the most annoying thing ever.”
The Continental, once a popular hangout for bands like Guns N’ Roses, Iggy Pop, and Joey Ramone, closed its doors in December 2018 after 27 years. Its owner, Trigger Smith, was known for his particular preferences, including a dislike for “saggy jeans” and phrases like “It’s all good,” “You know what I’m saying?” and “My bad.”
In 2018, Smith admitted that the ‘literally’ policy was mostly tongue-in-cheek. “What’s annoying is people aren’t even aware they’re saying it,” he told Grub Street. “How could you be so unaware of your words that it’s coming out every couple minutes?”
