Word of the Day: LITERALIST

Purist or pedant

literalist (noun) - someone who takes words and ideas at their most basic, primary, or exact meaning [lit-er-uh-list]

BREAKDOWN: LITER- (letter) + -AL (pertaining to) + -IST (one who does)

• literalism is a philosophical or artistic commitment to interpret words or idea in their most literal or explicit sense; fidelity to observable fact or what is real

• literal (adj) - exactly as stated; read or understood; interpreted in the most basic sense without nuance, metaphor, or liberty; unimaginative or matter-of-fact

• literally means exactly or actually if you are being literal, but more often intended to mean in effect or virtually

See also: obliterate

What's the difference between a kleptomaniac and a literalist?
The literalist takes things literally. The kleptomaniac takes things, literally.