It’s a bug bear of mine, and many people, but it seems there’s a literal-epidemic in Dubai. 

Not an epidemic, literally, but an epidemic of people incorrectly using the word literally.

It makes me irate, it makes me rage – it inflames me…but not literally.

Recommended

OPINION: The UAE Is Quickly Set To Become The Publishing Capital Of The Middle East and North AfricaOPINION: The UAE’s Compassion For People Of Determination Knows No BoundsIndia-UAE Travel Ban: Why I Decided To Fly From Delhi To Dubai Onboard A Charter Flight

Literally is a beautiful word when used correctly.  When placed in front of a colloquialism, it is often elegant and enjoyable.

You can literally laugh until you cry. You can literally hit a nail on the head (with a hammer, I hope). 

A cleaner making a fortune of money has ‘literally, cleaned up’. 

The person whose house is next to yours is literally, next door. 

But you do not need to use it otherwise. It’s not ‘literally so big’, it’s not literally the same, you are not ‘literally, so hungry’

There are so many words to use for emphasis – to dramatise your sentences. You can add extremity with stronger wording. 

If it’s very, (literally so) big – it’s humongous, it’s mammoth (but not literally), it’s colossal.

If it’s the same – it’s identical or uncanny. 

If you’re very hungry, you are starving or famished.

If you’re angry, you can be irate, inflamed, aggravated, but not ‘literally so angry’.

It reminds me of the quote from Dead Poet’s Society…but let’s substitute ‘very’ for literally

You have so many words, to use. There is no alternative to literally.

So please, sort it out.

Because the incorrect use of the word literally, literally makes me want to punch you in the face.