the word "like"

[q]

this may not be a very intelligent question, but this is really the only discussion is begs to be asked in

so like, she is all like, and then he is all like

why do you think people (mostly those in their adolescence) say "like" unnecessarily (other than as a simile)?

do you think it is pop culture? mtv? the lack of a vocabulary?

what do you think?

[leg]

I think like it doesn't matter too much until you like start like saying it alot, but I think your answer are like correct.

[shaggy]

I always thought it is used as a pause, to give the individual time to collect his or her thoughts to complete the sentence.

[Killian]

You usually say it when answering questions. So in other words you say it when you are thinking. Instead of having a planned out straight forward answer, you would say "like" or "um" to help you walk through the answer. Most people don't even realize it unless they are looking for it when people talk.

[MidnightStalker]

Since the 1950s, when it was especially associated with hipsters, “like” as a sort of meaningless verbal hiccup has been common in speech. The earliest uses had a sort of sense to them in which “like” introduced feelings or perceptions which were then specified: “When I learned my poem had been rejected I was, like, devastated.” However, “like” quickly migrated elsewhere in sentences: “I was like, just going down the road, when, like, I saw this cop, like, hiding behind the billboard.” This habit has spread throughout American society, affecting people of all ages. Those who have the irritating “like” habit are usually unaware of it, even if they use it once or twice in every sentence: but if your job involves much speaking with others, it’s a habit worth breaking.

Recently young people have extended its uses by using “like” to introduce thoughts and speeches: “When he tells me his car broke down on the way to my party I’m like, ” I know you were with Cheryl because she told me so.” To be reacted to as a grown-up, avoid this pattern....

[Zogo]

it's like "you know" or "uh" or "er" or "hmmm"

[Thrash]

I'm very guilty of this.

The 3 times I have put a real effort into stopping myself, I had trouble talking. It ruined my sentence flow, and how smoothly I talked, because I had to keep stopping myself from saying "like". I'm a very fluent speaker, so I gave up after a while.

[Scorcher]

The 3 times I have put a real effort into stopping myself, I had trouble talking. It ruined my sentence flow, and how smoothly I talked, because I had to keep stopping myself from saying "like". I'm a very fluent speaker, so I gave up after a while.

I disagree that you're a very fluent speaker if you can't converse successfully without using the word like.

[Thrash]

Okay, wrong wording.


I speak can speak very rapidly, and very clearly. I can get my point across efficiently, and have no problems communicating or doing any rapid verbal sequences on my feet.

If I am speaking, to an audience (standup, class speech, whatever), I talk different since it's scripted. And my linguistic skills become really helpful, but if I am just going through the course of my day trying to not say "like" I stumble all the time. It's too much of a crutch.

[MidnightStalker]

I speak can speak very rapidly, and very clearly. I can get my point across efficiently, and have no problems communicating or doing any rapid verbal sequences on my feet.
Apparently you can't say the same for your hands.

[Thrash]

:rolleyes:

[q]

;o

[-Serialchilla-]

it's like "you know" or "uh" or "er" or "hmmm"

My stepmom says "you know" about 40 times in a 41-word sentence. It annoys the hell out of me, but since she's so nice I would feel like a total ass for saying something about it.

[puFf]

"you know?" and "huh?" is to the U.S. like "eh?" is in Canada. "like" usually happens mid sentance ... or maybe at the beginning eh? I usually start saying eh more and more depending how many beers I have in me "ya know what i mean".

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zgxPIkjG3J0

[q]

some girl gave a speech in my philosophy class a couple of days ago

she said "like" almost every sentence which made the speed very hard to listen to and interpret