Literallydescribing

Literallydescribing is a neologism used in online discourse to denote the act of describing something in a literal, non-metaphorical manner. The term functions as both a descriptive label and a rhetorical stance, emphasizing observable details over symbolic or interpretive framing.

Etymology is a portmanteau of literally and describing. It arose in digital communities where speakers contrast literal detail with figurative language. The earliest formal attestation is uncertain, but the term gained traction in blogs, comment sections, and social media during the 2010s and 2020s.

In practice, literallydescribing can serve several purposes: to request precision, to critique metaphor-heavy prose, or to underscore the factual basis of a description. It is often used humorously or self-referentially, signaling a meta-awareness of linguistic style. Some discussions treat it as a method for grounding analysis in observable evidence rather than interpretation.

Examples of usage include statements such as: "Please stop the poetry and give me a literallydescribing description of what happened: who did what, when, where, and what was observed." Critics may describe a passage as literallydescribing when it lists details without interpretive insight, while supporters view it as a neutral shorthand for objective reporting in certain contexts.

See also: literalism, description, descriptive rhetoric.