Can we use hearty as an adverb?

Question

In the movie '300', the protagonist King Leonidas has a famous dialogue.

Spartans! Ready your breakfast and eat hearty, for tonight, we dine in hell!

Here, I wanted to know if the usage of hearty as an adverb is right.

Is not heartily the right adverb?

You're right but remember - This! Is! Sparta! and pesky English grammar rules need not apply. — KillingTime, Commented Apr 18, 2019 at 6:44
This may be a flat adverb, but it may also be an adjective (“eat hearty [food]”). — Janus Bahs Jacquet, Commented Apr 18, 2019 at 7:43
I never realized how silly this line is. "Eat hearty, for tonight we dine in Hell - and the food there is terrible...and such small portions" — Juhasz, Commented Apr 18, 2019 at 13:49

Michael Harvey · Accepted Answer · 2019-04-18 17:49:52Z

2

In informal speech it is quite common to find certain adjectives used as adverbs - eat hearty, rest easy, come quick, want something bad, etc.

answered Apr 18, 2019 at 17:49

Michael Harvey

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Thank you. I noticed that the usage somehow makes it more pleasing to the ears.
– Arjun Ajith
Commented Apr 19, 2019 at 9:14

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