Do you say "like" a lot?

[jajdude]

Being back in Canada from much time living Asia, I've noticed this use of "like" in many conversations I hear. When riding on the bus twice the other day, I was next to two conversations. They were young people, late teens or early 20s. I am quite serious in saying that ten percent or so of all the many words spoken during 15 minute chats was the word "like". I doubt 5 seconds ever passed without the word thrown in. I wonder if this seems odd to some foreigners. Do they think, "Why do they say 'like' all the time?" But I'm sure speakers of other languages do similar things. In China it was "ne guh" -- kind of like "er" ...

Some people use other words often as well, but I guess "like" may be the most spoken word for many English speakers, well, along with the other most common words.

About 10 percent of all spoken words being "like" --- just find that odd sometimes, but it is extremely common.

[cacian]

Hi jajdude there is a lot of 'innit' is some part of east London. Kids say it a lot.
There is also lot of 'werayou''? type of questions a bit like saying: ''wear a u''
I have heard 'like' said at the end of a sentence like this: you know like... but no not that often.

[Volya]

I shamefully admit I say 'like' a lot... It has just slipped into my speech somehow, and I despise myself for doing it >:(
Although it generally only comes out when I'm speaking with other people who use that kind of language.

[Buh4Bee]

like no.

[manuscript]

once when i was in school about age 15 a gentleman on the bus turned around and interrupted a conversation i was enjoying with my friend to inform her of the frequency with which she was using the word like. he was very exasperated. i politely told him that it was none of his concern. he said that he was only trying to help her. i told him no, he was not trying to help her. he continued glaring at me even as the bus pulled away from his stop. hahaha.

[manuscript]

my friend btw is now an aeronautical engineer working on large boats all over asia.

[Volya]

I think that gentleman had more sense than you might think. When applying for a job, using poor English really will not help your chances.

[jajdude]

One thing about understanding all these conversations in English is that some sound so inane and irritating. I bet everyone finds this at times. When every tenth word is "like" it can feel surreal. Yet most English speakers, especially younger people, are doing this, at least where I'm living now. It's amazing.

[Calidore]

Are there no other languages with slang and different manners of speaking by the young?

[Shevek]

I don't notice it in my speech or others' although I'm sure I use it quite a bit. Frankly it doesn't matter to me. I get more annoyed by obtuse, elliptical speech than slang.

[jajdude]

Are there no other languages with slang and different manners of speaking by the young?

Are there any languages without?

[cacian]

I am wondering is slang usage is to slag of something?
Did Shakespeare speak slang?

[Eiseabhal]

It is the inarticulacy caused by poor education and decaying culture innit.

[tonywalt]

"Like I saw yermum at MaccyDs da ova day, laavely 'avin a milfy mum - innit!"

I notice North American girls pepper their conversations with 'like' more than the guys (the habit drops in their 20's).

[Maximilianus]

I've done it a few times during oral exams, probably out of assuming that by doing it I am gaining some time for the following idea to come to my mind as I am speaking nonstop.

Quite improper for a teacher's speaking style, I know a teacher who shoots okay like a machine gun. For example "Today okay we are okay going to okay attempt okay the first okay exercises okay in unit one, okay?"
http://smiles.kolobok.us/artists/just_cuz/JC_faint.gif

[jajdude]

Makes ya wonder though how many people are even a bit conscious of their habit, seeing "everybody" they talk to, at least their friends, does it as well. Guess I noticed it easily after having living overseas a long time. But then even sitcoms like "Friends" or whatever probably use(d) it all the time too.

I know there are quite a few overused fillers other than "like" but to me this one seems by far the most common.

[Paulclem]

It is the inarticulacy caused by poor education and decaying culture innit.

Saying something repeatedly such as like is referred to as a discourse particle. There's a brilliant spoof of it on South park where Butters the pimp picks up Y'know what I'm sayin' from the Pimps at a Pimps convention, but pronounces it in the full version. (The clip isn't that good a quality).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YyG1jyRmG2s

It is not necessarily an indicator of a poor education. Take Prince Charles. He doesn't say "like" or "y'know", but are his elongated errrrrrrrs any less annoying?

I think the explanation of them is to allow the brain to catch up to what's coming out of the mouth. Probably a good policy.

[cacian]

I've done it a few times during oral exams, probably out of assuming that by doing it I am gaining some time for the following idea to come to my mind as I am speaking nonstop.

Quite improper for a teacher's speaking style, I know a teacher who shoots okay like a machine gun. For example "Today okay we are okay going to okay attempt okay the first okay exercises okay in unit one, okay?"
http://smiles.kolobok.us/artists/just_cuz/JC_faint.gif

:lol:

[Maximilianus]

Oh yes, her evil machine gun is constantly loaded with okay ammo

http://www.smiley-lol.com/smiley/deplacer/militaires/jeepmilit.gif
:p

[almonde]

Fortunately for me, I don't say "like" a lot. I know someone who does and sometimes it could get a little annoying. Or is it just me?

[desiresjab]

"You know," is a really common filler. You know?

[MANICHAEAN]

A few other examples I've come across.

1. Continually ending a sentence with "Check this out," or "You know what I mean?"
2. In Nigeria there is a tendency to end with " Ah Ha. You see what I mean," or "Wonderful!!" irrespective of whether the subject is good or bad news.
3. In Japan, a pause is invariably marked by "Ah tor."
4. My favourite is in Jamaica with every subject ending with a raising of the hands and eyes to heaven, and "Lord hav mercy."

[North Star]

In Finland, we just have long pauses, although with globalization, the equivalents of 'like' and 'you know' have replaced that noble tradition for most people.

[Tyrion Cheddar]

I shamefully admit I say 'like' a lot... It has just slipped into my speech somehow, and I despise myself for doing it >:(

:blush5: To my vast and ever-lovin' shame, I, too, must admit to speech now thoroughly corrupted by the great Like. The thing is, I am of the generation where I can clearly remember Like first creeping into the speech of teenagers. I even remember taking note of it back then, with a full Mr. Spock arched eyebrow. As someone who adores the English language, particularly when it is properly spoken and written, I am quite sure I resisted the insidious villainy of Like for long years, until, vanquished, I lay bleeding and parched on the sidewalk, a tiny placard in one hand saying 'Like, I give up.'

The thing that really cinched it, of course, was Hollywood. A couple of generations now of youth oriented movies and pop culture featuring thoroughly Californicated characters dropping the Like bomb every second. Also, much comedy of the last few decades, on this side of the Atlantic, has worked Like into its text and delivery.

In any case, the campaign is lost, I'm afraid. Like is here to stay. Like, until something else replaces it.

[Danik 2016]

I use "like" and "a lot" a lot, non native simplification I guess. What troubles me now is that I also use "liked" very often. I remember faintly that I was told that certain verbs that expressed appraisal weren´t used in the past in English. But I´ve seen natives using them.