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big_galoof
= Cult of Ray =
USA
310 Posts |
 Posted - 10/31/2003 : 07:39:14
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Because of the field I work in (public sector informational and training TV production,) I spend a lot of time listening to people talk. I've come to notice over the last year or so that the phrases "I mean" and "you know" are taking over the spoken English language - at least in the northeastern United States.
Even the most respectable and learned among us seem unable to avoid the flagrant (and maybe unconcious) use of these linguistic crutches.
These phrases pepper conversational dialog as time fillers or bridges between thoughts. They act to introduce new topics in conversation and as a means of holding the floor during an argument.
I'm interested to hear whether anyone else has noticed this trend in spoken English - and whether you feel as strongly as I do that they are a plague on the language, a sure sign of the downfall of our already enfeebled society.
If you don't have any idea what I'm talking about, just listen to the people around you when they talk, tell stories, discuss politics, music, whatever. Soon you won't be able to hear anything *but* the "I mean, you knows" - and they will ring in your ears like the bells that drove Quasimodo insane.
Also, if you're from a different region of the United States (or another country altogether) maybe there are different phrases that choke your conversations, filling the air with meaningless syllables. Tell me about them - be verbose but chose your words carefully, because I am keeping a careful accounting of every one!
I mean, The Big Galoof, you know? |
Edited by - big_galoof on 10/31/2003 07:40:55 |
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PixieSteve
> Teenager of the Year <
Poland
4698 Posts |
Posted - 10/31/2003 : 07:41:01
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| frank says you know quite a lot.... what are you trying to say!? ;) |
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big_galoof
= Cult of Ray =
USA
310 Posts |
Posted - 10/31/2003 : 07:48:12
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I guess that's my point - that everyone says it a lot and they probably don't even know it.
It would bother me to learn that I was doing something unconciously, all the time, and the people around me were taking notice. It's like a nervous tic.
But - maybe I'm the only one who notices. Or, more importantly, maybe I'm the only one who cares. I'm fussy in a lot of other areas as well, like spelling - particularly on signs. Have you noticed how no one seems to be able to use an apostrophe correctly anymore?
TBG |
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the swimmer
* Dog in the Sand *
USA
1602 Posts |
Posted - 10/31/2003 : 07:50:45
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Actually, I think more people use "like", you know.
I was all like, Shaw! |
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big_galoof
= Cult of Ray =
USA
310 Posts |
Posted - 10/31/2003 : 08:03:22
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I'm going to go ahead and add "like" to my list of offenders - good point, Swimmer.
TBG |
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apl4eris
~ Abstract Brain ~
USA
4800 Posts |
Posted - 10/31/2003 : 08:35:00
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I am not so much irritated by the "I mean" and "you know" plague, which are heavily dependent on the particular speaker's overall intellect for their annoyance factor, as I am by the more insidious "like", which not only acts as a place holder, but has insinuated itself into the common language so deeply that it has, analogous to a cancer, destroyed many parts of speech in the average sentence. Like, you know what I mean?
;)
You know what really gets to me, Big Galoof? The Apostrophe Conspiracy. Those of you similarly percipient will no doubt yell out involuntarily in fevered recognition at the mention of this pox on the english written language. I have been following it for many years, and the current trends and cultural signals lead me to believe that the end is nigh upon us. (by the way I like this topic, because I was going to create one myself, but I chickened out)
;) |
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apl4eris
~ Abstract Brain ~
USA
4800 Posts |
Posted - 10/31/2003 : 08:37:08
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| Wow - I withheld my post too long - my points had apparently already been made. Like, damn, that sucks a big one, you know? |
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apl4eris
~ Abstract Brain ~
USA
4800 Posts |
Posted - 10/31/2003 : 08:43:03
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| You can add the rampant misuse of "their", "they're" and "there" to your hypothetical list, if you'd "like". |
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big_galoof
= Cult of Ray =
USA
310 Posts |
Posted - 10/31/2003 : 08:44:34
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Your careful choice of words is much appreciated, apl4eris.
Unless you're making fun of me.
You are, you bastard, aren't you?
;^P
TBG |
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the swimmer
* Dog in the Sand *
USA
1602 Posts |
Posted - 10/31/2003 : 08:44:51
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I am pretty sure that the use of the word "like" as used in the above instances comes from not wanting to commit fully with an idea for fear of having their feelings or intelligence questioned in some way.
"Kids today are like, dissapointed."
sounds safer than "Kids today are dissapointed."
One sentence fully commits. The other doesn't.
Does that make, like, sense at all or whatever?
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BLT
> Teenager of the Year <
South Sandwich Islands
4204 Posts |
Posted - 10/31/2003 : 08:47:50
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| It fills up the dead air while the person is thinking. "Umm" is another one. I'm guilty of that one. |
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apl4eris
~ Abstract Brain ~
USA
4800 Posts |
Posted - 10/31/2003 : 08:54:20
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quote:
Originally posted by the swimmer
I am pretty sure that the use of the word "like" as used in the above instances comes from not wanting to commit fully with an idea for fear of having their feelings or intelligence questioned in some way.
"Kids today are like, dissapointed."
sounds safer than "Kids today are dissapointed."
One sentence fully commits. The other doesn't.
Does that make, like, sense at all or whatever?
Like, I totally agree with what you're, like, saying there, swimmer. No, really, I do. It all started back in the Valley Girl days, when prepubescent girls everywhere decided that hot pink and the word like would help to shield them from seeming serious and threatening. Then the whole ruse unraveled and engulfed young girl society, destroying their brains entirely. Like, oh my god! |
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the swimmer
* Dog in the Sand *
USA
1602 Posts |
Posted - 10/31/2003 : 08:58:08
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Um, I guess, like, guys do it to...or whatever.
But yeah. |
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apl4eris
~ Abstract Brain ~
USA
4800 Posts |
Posted - 10/31/2003 : 09:17:27
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quote:
Originally posted by the swimmer
Um, I guess, like, guys do it to...or whatever.
But yeah.
Big Galoof, please [*also removed] add the misuse of "to" and "too" to your list too, please! ;)
*Edited for redundancy. I love grammar and spelling mistakes in discussion of grammar and spelling mistakes. It makes me giggle. |
Edited by - apl4eris on 10/31/2003 09:19:36 |
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gracie
= Cult of Ray =
United Kingdom
573 Posts |
Posted - 10/31/2003 : 10:05:58
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In my neck of the woods "do you know what i mean" is used alot, its not even to elicit a response, its just tagged onto the end of a setence for no reason.
"innit" is also very common the closer you get to London.
People in the US may not realise this but teenage boys in England sound more like Ali G that Hugh Grant. |
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apl4eris
~ Abstract Brain ~
USA
4800 Posts |
Posted - 10/31/2003 : 10:07:55
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quote:
Originally posted by gracie
In my neck of the woods "do you know what i mean" is used alot, its not even to elicit a response, its just tagged onto the end of a setence for no reason.
The apostrophe conspiracy rears its ugly head yet again, Ya know what I mean?!!!! aaahhhhhhh! ;) |
Edited by - apl4eris on 10/31/2003 10:08:39 |
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gracie
= Cult of Ray =
United Kingdom
573 Posts |
Posted - 10/31/2003 : 10:14:03
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It's like apostrophe heaven, do ya knoe what i mean, its way cool to spell things incorrectly on purpose, innit?
[EDITED - Those apostrophes were ruining the size of the thread] |
Edited by - El Barto on 10/31/2003 10:25:42 |
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Carolynanna
>> Denizen of the Citizens Band <<
Canada
6556 Posts |
Posted - 10/31/2003 : 10:17:18
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What are you countin my knowwhatI'msayins, knowhatI'msayin.
J-Roc |
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jediroller
* Dog in the Sand *
France
1718 Posts |
Posted - 10/31/2003 : 10:18:41
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There's worse:
apostrophes appearing in weird and definitely inappropriate places IN FRENCH WORDS (in adverts, on shop signs...) because it's "trendy". And the worst thing is, THEY BELIEVE IT MAKES IT LOOK LIKE ENGLISH.
Example:
remember those little lapel pins that were so popular in the eighties?
Know what they were called in France?
"Pin's". Singular and plural alike. "Un pin's, des pin's". URGH.
I have other examples but it makes me use bad words. So I'll leave it at that.
--
And the sun kicks in, like a killer through the curtain |
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apl4eris
~ Abstract Brain ~
USA
4800 Posts |
Posted - 10/31/2003 : 10:24:56
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| That like happens over here all the time. Random apostrophes in item's that are pluralized, and then missing in place's they are supposed to be. I think its an alien conpiracy to drive us out of our mind's. You know what I mean? |
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El Barto
= Song DB Master =
USA
4020 Posts |
Posted - 10/31/2003 : 10:27:35
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Our old roommate used to costantly say "you know" and I picked up on it...I now constantly say it.
 "I joined the Cult of Clops / If I were you, I'd sleep with one eye open." |
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darwin
>> Denizen of the Citizens Band <<
USA
5454 Posts |
Posted - 10/31/2003 : 10:57:20
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"Loose" for "lose" is an old favorite.
Which do people prefer Charles' or Charles's? In school I was taught the first, but Elements of Style recommends the second. |
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mereubu
= FB QuizMistress =
USA
2677 Posts |
Posted - 10/31/2003 : 11:19:46
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Dumb ol' Strunk & White. I think, like, the former looks more correct.
Know what I mean?
 "I joined the Cult of Frank / And all I got was this lousy icon" |
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apl4eris
~ Abstract Brain ~
USA
4800 Posts |
Posted - 10/31/2003 : 11:23:42
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| What about when people say "es-cYU-late" and "per-cYU-late". That drives me friggin bonkers. |
Edited by - apl4eris on 10/31/2003 11:24:05 |
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floop
= Wannabe Volunteer =
Mexico
15297 Posts |
Posted - 10/31/2003 : 11:25:51
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i actually disagree.. i don't consider it a "plague" on language or anything.. languages change. people use colloquial speak all the time.. it would be one thing if you were presenting a scientific research presentation and you were all like, yeah, like, this science stuff is like, totally scientific..
but everyday language.. wha-eva. i don't have a problem with people using "like" or "umm" to fill space. that's how life is. there are empty spaces. not everyone speaks in essay form..
mijn vriendin kan geen orgasme krijgen |
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Carolynanna
>> Denizen of the Citizens Band <<
Canada
6556 Posts |
Posted - 10/31/2003 : 11:26:03
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| or when people say shedule for schedule, sheesh. |
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mereubu
= FB QuizMistress =
USA
2677 Posts |
Posted - 10/31/2003 : 11:28:39
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Or "mis-chee-vee-us" instead of "mis-chuh-vus." Hate that. Around here, we also get a lot of "irregardless"es also.
"I joined the Cult of Frank / And all I got was this lousy icon" |
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Carolynanna
>> Denizen of the Citizens Band <<
Canada
6556 Posts |
Posted - 10/31/2003 : 11:30:42
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quote:
Originally posted by floop
i actually disagree.. i don't consider it a "plague" on language or anything.. languages change. people use colloquial speak all the time.. it would be one thing if you were presenting a scientific research presentation and you were all like, yeah, like, this science stuff is like, totally scientific..
but everyday language.. wha-eva. i don't have a problem with people using "like" or "umm" to fill space. that's how life is. there are empty spaces. not everyone speaks in essay form..
mijn vriendin kan geen orgasme krijgen
Its CHEQUE, damnit  |
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apl4eris
~ Abstract Brain ~
USA
4800 Posts |
Posted - 10/31/2003 : 11:30:47
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Or "alumin-IUM" for aluminum. Where the hell is that extra "i" from? Same thing for "fil_UM". Stupid extra syllables.
quote:
Originally posted by Carolynanna
or when people say shedule for schedule, sheesh.
Or say cheques instead of checks. ;) |
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Carolynanna
>> Denizen of the Citizens Band <<
Canada
6556 Posts |
Posted - 10/31/2003 : 11:31:48
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Apl look at that, too strange.
Again though, its CHEQUE you damn language bastardizing Americans.
Just kidding but it is cheque. |
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apl4eris
~ Abstract Brain ~
USA
4800 Posts |
Posted - 10/31/2003 : 11:33:58
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| Look at what? wha? Is something behind me? You trying to scare me or somethin? |
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Carolynanna
>> Denizen of the Citizens Band <<
Canada
6556 Posts |
Posted - 10/31/2003 : 11:35:37
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Look what I wrote 5 seconds before you.
But I am Scarolyn today... |
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apl4eris
~ Abstract Brain ~
USA
4800 Posts |
Posted - 10/31/2003 : 11:36:24
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| Irregardless!! -that's the one I was trying to remember!! Thanks mere. I was about to have an aneurysm. |
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mereubu
= FB QuizMistress =
USA
2677 Posts |
Posted - 10/31/2003 : 11:36:26
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I'm sorry, but "Johnny Paycheque" would just not look right. Dude would get the shit kicked out of him.
I find the way the Brits say "orientate" instead of "orient" disorienting. I mean disorientating. See? Now I'm confused. I think it's a waste of a perfectly good syllable.
"I joined the Cult of Frank / And all I got was this lousy icon" |
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Carolynanna
>> Denizen of the Citizens Band <<
Canada
6556 Posts |
Posted - 10/31/2003 : 11:38:07
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or adviser instead of advisor,
I'm fightin a losin battle here aren't I? |
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apl4eris
~ Abstract Brain ~
USA
4800 Posts |
Posted - 10/31/2003 : 11:38:21
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quote:
Originally posted by Carolynanna
Look what I wrote 5 seconds before you.
But I am Scarolyn today...
Yeah - I just saw that. I've been doing that a lot lately, and it's startin to freak me out. You're Scarolynin' me now! |
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