This is not the first time I've had to explain to people that they're using the word "right" wrong.
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Ruebensays
To me it always comes across as some sort of request for instant validation. Maybe it’s born from a deeper insecurity that their brilliant opinion may actually be invalid and so they offer up a desperate plea for someone, anyone, to nod wisely and tell them they are indeed right. Of course, they’d never admit that. They’d say it’s just a verbal crutch. But I see through them.
You’re onto something, Rueben. I think some of these childerns are nervously wondering why they’re on radio or television in the first place. And for good reason.
My favorites are beginning replies with either “Look, . . .” or So, . . .” Near as I can tell neither age nor education plays a role in this. Lots of people do it. From time to time I even have to slap myself in the face for it.
“You know” is far more prevalent. Check the Studs Terkel clip. he uses “you know” in every other sentence and it drives me up the wall, over the rooftops, and into the screaming infinite. Sorry- I know you’re a fan.
Good observation, Peter. Studs didn’t do that often (you know) … only when he was on a subject like his own immortality that (you know) embarrassed him a little.
That’s why we say “you know”; we’re embarrassed, and we’re trying to remind others they’ve had their fly down too. You know?
It’s these plastic Chinese zips, you know. When America was great, you know, they made proper metal zips that stayed shut, you know. (Although they wreaked havoc on a person’s tender parts, you know, if a few stray hairs got caught in them, you know).
Forgot about “sort of.” I can’t believe it! I bought a course online. I mean, I PAID MONEY to hear these scholars talk on the subject of St. Francis. And every 5th word they each said “sort of.” I sort of wanted to demand a refund.
To me it always comes across as some sort of request for instant validation. Maybe it’s born from a deeper insecurity that their brilliant opinion may actually be invalid and so they offer up a desperate plea for someone, anyone, to nod wisely and tell them they are indeed right. Of course, they’d never admit that. They’d say it’s just a verbal crutch. But I see through them.
You’re onto something, Rueben. I think some of these childerns are nervously wondering why they’re on radio or television in the first place. And for good reason.
My favorites are beginning replies with either “Look, . . .” or So, . . .” Near as I can tell neither age nor education plays a role in this. Lots of people do it. From time to time I even have to slap myself in the face for it.
Tom, I’ve already held forth on the “so” phenomenon.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iM23Ma6Hi-Y&list=UUVd-0dr4MwMw9p6m0caNN2A&index=124&feature=plcp
And since then, I’ve heard myself starting lots of answers with “so.”
Language sneaks in.
“You know” is far more prevalent. Check the Studs Terkel clip. he uses “you know” in every other sentence and it drives me up the wall, over the rooftops, and into the screaming infinite. Sorry- I know you’re a fan.
You know.
Good observation, Peter. Studs didn’t do that often (you know) … only when he was on a subject like his own immortality that (you know) embarrassed him a little.
That’s why we say “you know”; we’re embarrassed, and we’re trying to remind others they’ve had their fly down too. You know?
It’s these plastic Chinese zips, you know. When America was great, you know, they made proper metal zips that stayed shut, you know. (Although they wreaked havoc on a person’s tender parts, you know, if a few stray hairs got caught in them, you know).
Forgot about “sort of.” I can’t believe it! I bought a course online. I mean, I PAID MONEY to hear these scholars talk on the subject of St. Francis. And every 5th word they each said “sort of.” I sort of wanted to demand a refund.
St. Sort of Francis.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XlzTcOCim7M&feature=related
“Innit?”