Yes, I've noticed the insertion of the word "soooo...." to begin a verbal statement. I noticed it formulating about 6-8 years ago, and what struck me most is that it is coming from adult, articulate speakers, including people explaining political policy on TV interviews. It is a filler, and depending on the tone of voice, it is intended to keep the audience captivated while words are being formulated. It has been my observation that it can be used to replace annoying phrases such as "you idiot! Everyone knows that......blah blah blah" with "soooo, blah blah blah".
It also appears to be used to alert the listener that "I know what I'm talking about, I just need 2 more seconds to figure out how to say it, so don't go away".
I'm betting its here to stay, but I haven't started using it yet.
??So we beat on, boats against the current, borne back ceaselessly into the past.?
well
"No problem" has replaced "you're welcome", especially among the younger set.
warren ward PLS CO OK, post: 453070, member: 12536 wrote: Yes, I've noticed the insertion of the word "soooo...." to begin a verbal statement. I noticed it formulating about 6-8 years ago, and what struck me most is that it is coming from adult, articulate speakers, including people explaining political policy on TV interviews. It is a filler, and depending on the tone of voice, it is intended to keep the audience captivated while words are being formulated. It has been my observation that it can be used to replace annoying phrases such as "you idiot! Everyone knows that......blah blah blah" with "soooo, blah blah blah".
It also appears to be used to alert the listener that "I know what I'm talking about, I just need 2 more seconds to figure out how to say it, so don't go away".
I'm betting its here to stay, but I haven't started using it yet.
This is mostly what I was referring to. I've noticed it a lot at conferences, training sessions, etc.
I prefer to simply be silent until the other person realizes I have not answered their trick questions.
My Pa recently queried the use of "so", he has a friend who uses it at the beginning of every question, and to my Pa it reminded him of the gestapo agent Herr Flick in the British comedy Allo Allo. Anyway, I pointed out that we probably all do it (although I don't think he does) and that I do but had been lately trying not to. To me I think it is a way of making the question less interrogating, i.e. softening it a bit.
So - What are you trying to say?
About the funniest thing I have heard in a while was at a local cafe. A high school girl that speaks Spanish as a second language was telling her Grandmother about something that happened at school. The Grandmother being the owner of the cafe and speaks Spanish as her first language, English as a second language.
The girl was speaking Spanish but about every other sentence started with "I mean, ...." in English and then continued in Spanish. Whatever it was, it must have been a good story.
James
