Monday, August 06, 2007

No More Like

Alright. I've had it. Before I climb up onto my soapbox and begin speaking, allow me to say that I am not completely void of this issue in my own life. But there's a line, people. A line. And I think you know when you've crossed it.

My pet peeve of today? Overuse of the word "like." According to the fine folks over at Merriam-Webster, like means to enjoy something or that two things are similar. It does not mean "said" - which is my own misuse of it ("I asked her if she wanted to go and she was like 'no.'") It is also not a filler word for sentences - which is where the LINE IS CROSSED.

In other words, if you call someone, your opening line(s) should not sound like (appropriately used...because I meant similar) this: "Hi, I'm like calling to like see if you could like help me with this like question I like have? I like need to like know if like I can like change like something without like everything else like changing?"

Seriously? That deserves an answer?


AAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH! Okay I'm like fine now. Or at least I like think so.

8 comments:

Tina said...

I agree with the overuse of the word like. Very annoying, especially from someone older than 14. Who started that habit anyway? They should be tied to a chair and forced to listen to nails scratching a chalkboard for several days.

Christina said...

Preach it, Sister!

This drives me NUTS......it's far worse than, "ummm" as a filler and it has to be one of the most annoying speech traits I've ever heard.

I think the offenders should get a little electric shock every time they say it. Yes, it might be using the same tactic as training a dog, but apparently it works!

Bekah said...

Tina - Amen! So far I've been able to keep my mouth shut and not say what I'm really thinking, but one of these days....some poor "like" person is gonna get it!

Christina - I wholeheartedly agree that it's worse than the ummmm filler. I guess it's the new wave of keeping track of annoying words in church - when the "like" using preachers show up. I think the electric shock might just be the thing.

Although I have to say - just writing this today made me VERY conscious of my own use of it. Maybe we should just transcribe a secretly taped conversation with a "like" user and make them read it just as they said it. Hmmm...

Hummel Family said...

I like totally understand!!!!!! It's like a pet peeve of mine too! ;)

Isn't it crazy?

Cara Bara said...

O-M-G! I hate when the work like is used like that!!! LIKE come on now. LIKE did you go to school???? ugg =)

Anonymous said...

This was so funny Bekah...Chris and I just had this conversation last week! Also, and I don't know how much you guys here this but, "Can I AX you a question?" I hear this...and then I pull up a student and they are a MASTER'S STUDENT...WHAT???? One day I almost said, "No, but you can ASK me a question!".

Bekah said...

Jo Ellen and Nutz - I'm so glad to have so many people in my camp! :) Makes me feel a little less annoyed - to know that I have fellow-annoyed-people alongside me!

Llita - We don't get that as much as you do - but Jenny (in IPD) is forever telling me that it's happened to her. I think she would LOVE for you to say that back sometime!

Phats said...

Like this is a really like great like post bekah, I really like liked it! hahaha :)