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I have just watched a programme about somebody who was arrested on suspicion of murder.
At one point there was a playback of the interview of one of the witnesses which went something along the lines of:
"I was like 'you've killed him'"
"He was like 'I only punched him'".
It went on for about five minutes with the witness continuing to say "I was like..." "He was like..."
Does anyone know why people use such a slovenly turn of phrase when it's just as easy to say "He said..." or "I said..."?
It's certainly isn't any better than using crutch words.
At one point there was a playback of the interview of one of the witnesses which went something along the lines of:
"I was like 'you've killed him'"
"He was like 'I only punched him'".
It went on for about five minutes with the witness continuing to say "I was like..." "He was like..."
Does anyone know why people use such a slovenly turn of phrase when it's just as easy to say "He said..." or "I said..."?
It's certainly isn't any better than using crutch words.
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In reply to MG:
Easy now - this was a witness. The alleged murderer may have been a latter day Noel Coward
> Inarticulate murderers, what is the world coming to!?
Easy now - this was a witness. The alleged murderer may have been a latter day Noel Coward
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In reply to FesteringSore:
Appalling, send them all to Eton where they can learn to speak proper and master porcine onanismic techniques.
Appalling, send them all to Eton where they can learn to speak proper and master porcine onanismic techniques.
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In reply to Lusk:
I'm suddenly reminded of "Raffles the Gentleman Thug"
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raffles,_the_Gentleman_Thug
Where "There's plenty more where that came from" becomes "There's an elegant plenitude from whenceforth that originated'"
> Appalling, send them all to Eton where they can learn to speak proper and master porcine onanismic techniques.
I'm suddenly reminded of "Raffles the Gentleman Thug"
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raffles,_the_Gentleman_Thug
Where "There's plenty more where that came from" becomes "There's an elegant plenitude from whenceforth that originated'"
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In reply to Lusk:
And then get sent to de-poshing elocution lessons so they can 'have more in common with the man in the street', by learning to say 'Briddish' instead of 'British'.
Yes, that's you, Gideon Osborne, you fakking slaaag...
And then get sent to de-poshing elocution lessons so they can 'have more in common with the man in the street', by learning to say 'Briddish' instead of 'British'.
Yes, that's you, Gideon Osborne, you fakking slaaag...
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In reply to FesteringSore:
'Does anyone know why people use such a slovenly turn of phrase when it's just as easy to say "He said..." or "I said..."?
Er, well, the answer (which I 100% guarantee you won't like) is ... yes.
It is an academic subject called 'linguistics'; The Language Instinct by Stephen Pinker is a good introduction.
Read it and you may be surprised.
And by the way, everyone uses linguistic constructions to dissemble and obfuscate. Read Boris Johnson's responses to Eddie Mair's famous interview, he's at least as inarticulate as the example you quote, he's just inarticulate with a posh accent.
'Does anyone know why people use such a slovenly turn of phrase when it's just as easy to say "He said..." or "I said..."?
Er, well, the answer (which I 100% guarantee you won't like) is ... yes.
It is an academic subject called 'linguistics'; The Language Instinct by Stephen Pinker is a good introduction.
Read it and you may be surprised.
And by the way, everyone uses linguistic constructions to dissemble and obfuscate. Read Boris Johnson's responses to Eddie Mair's famous interview, he's at least as inarticulate as the example you quote, he's just inarticulate with a posh accent.
Post edited at 19:44
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In reply to Rob Exile Ward:
Well he was making it up as he went along. Not for the first time and sadly, not for the last.
T.
Well he was making it up as he went along. Not for the first time and sadly, not for the last.
T.
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In reply to Rob Exile Ward:
Off-topic - but wasn't that a great interview?
Most people dealing with Johnson play along with the cheery bonhomie (because, I assume, they don't want to be thought of as spoilsports), and so he gets away with saying more-or-less anything. Eddie Mair played him with a straight face and a dead bat - and Johnson was found out. We need more of that!
> And by the way, everyone uses linguistic constructions to dissemble and obfuscate. Read Boris Johnson's responses to Eddie Mair's famous interview, he's at least as inarticulate as the example you quote, he's just inarticulate with a posh accent.
Off-topic - but wasn't that a great interview?
Most people dealing with Johnson play along with the cheery bonhomie (because, I assume, they don't want to be thought of as spoilsports), and so he gets away with saying more-or-less anything. Eddie Mair played him with a straight face and a dead bat - and Johnson was found out. We need more of that!
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In reply to Rob Exile Ward:
Be that as it may I can see no logic in saying "I was like..." as a substitute for "I said...". I'm curious to know why and how the practice originated. It neither sounds or looks right.
> 'Does anyone know why people use such a slovenly turn of phrase when it's just as easy to say "He said..." or "I said..."?
> Er, well, the answer (which I 100% guarantee you won't like) is ... yes.
> It is an academic subject called 'linguistics'; The Language Instinct by Stephen Pinker is a good introduction.
> Read it and you may be surprised.
> And by the way, everyone uses linguistic constructions to dissemble and obfuscate. Read Boris Johnson's responses to Eddie Mair's famous interview, he's at least as inarticulate as the example you quote, he's just inarticulate with a posh accent.
Be that as it may I can see no logic in saying "I was like..." as a substitute for "I said...". I'm curious to know why and how the practice originated. It neither sounds or looks right.
Post edited at 19:55
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In reply to Rob Parsons:
Anybody got a link to said interview ? I'm guessing it was like , you know , that there today program ?
Anybody got a link to said interview ? I'm guessing it was like , you know , that there today program ?
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In reply to FesteringSore:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-11426737
Though I think 'like' is not only a filler. It's also used as a non-committal, 'along the lines of', rather than a verbatim report. It comes out repeatedly with some people in some situations when they relate a situation as they will do so wholly in terms of dialogue even if that dialogue didn't take place but it describes in essence what happened.
innit?
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-11426737
Though I think 'like' is not only a filler. It's also used as a non-committal, 'along the lines of', rather than a verbatim report. It comes out repeatedly with some people in some situations when they relate a situation as they will do so wholly in terms of dialogue even if that dialogue didn't take place but it describes in essence what happened.
innit?
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In reply to FesteringSore:
Here you go
https://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=http://w...
Here you go
https://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=http://w...
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In reply to FesteringSore:
Last year it seemed everyone was saying 'absolutely' when a simple 'yes' would suffice. Still a few around but not as many, so perhaps they are just a short lived (but irritating) fashion.
Last year it seemed everyone was saying 'absolutely' when a simple 'yes' would suffice. Still a few around but not as many, so perhaps they are just a short lived (but irritating) fashion.
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In reply to Removed Userjess13:
"Everyone" Really?.....
> Last year it seemed everyone was saying 'absolutely' when a simple 'yes' would suffice. Still a few around but not as many, so perhaps they are just a short lived (but irritating) fashion.
"Everyone" Really?.....
In reply to captain paranoia:
Oh Geez, that was cringe worthy of the highest order!
It doesn't bother me much how people speak apart from when they e/affect accents.
The MiL used to go 'Posh' now and again, please stop dear.
> And then get sent to de-poshing elocution lessons so they can 'have more in common with the man in the street', by learning to say 'Briddish' instead of 'British'.
Oh Geez, that was cringe worthy of the highest order!
It doesn't bother me much how people speak apart from when they e/affect accents.
The MiL used to go 'Posh' now and again, please stop dear.
In reply to FesteringSore:
'Be that as it may I can see no logic in saying "I was like..." as a substitute for "I said...". I'm curious to know why and how the practice originated. It neither sounds or looks right.'
OK and I have suggested a source where you can find an answer - but you have chosen to ignore it.
That's fine, but that does make you irredeemably ignorant,
'Be that as it may I can see no logic in saying "I was like..." as a substitute for "I said...". I'm curious to know why and how the practice originated. It neither sounds or looks right.'
OK and I have suggested a source where you can find an answer - but you have chosen to ignore it.
That's fine, but that does make you irredeemably ignorant,
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In reply to Rob Exile Ward:
What I find interesting about this use of "like" is that not only is it imprecise, but seems to actively highlight that imprecision.
"Of" instead of "have" - as in "would of done X" - makes me wince a bit (I am, after all, my mother's child), but I can hear how it has come about.
What I find interesting about this use of "like" is that not only is it imprecise, but seems to actively highlight that imprecision.
"Of" instead of "have" - as in "would of done X" - makes me wince a bit (I am, after all, my mother's child), but I can hear how it has come about.
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In reply to FesteringSore:
"Oh my god, I was like, literally, like, *fill in the blank*"
The most annoying filler phrases to echo round the corridors at my workplace. Apologies slightly off topic but I feel better now.
"Oh my god, I was like, literally, like, *fill in the blank*"
The most annoying filler phrases to echo round the corridors at my workplace. Apologies slightly off topic but I feel better now.
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In reply to Rob Exile Ward:
No, I have not ignored it, I have hardly had time to read it so I made an interim response to your comment.
I find you quite irritating at times. I tried to engage in a reasonably intelligent conversation with you but when you disagree or dislike the manner in which somebody responds you seem to resort to arrogance and insults.
No, I have not ignored it, I have hardly had time to read it so I made an interim response to your comment.
I find you quite irritating at times. I tried to engage in a reasonably intelligent conversation with you but when you disagree or dislike the manner in which somebody responds you seem to resort to arrogance and insults.
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In reply to FesteringSore:
Because constantly saying "like" makes you sound like a 1980s California valley girl? No idea why one would want to, but possibly US movies may be to blame.
CB
Because constantly saying "like" makes you sound like a 1980s California valley girl? No idea why one would want to, but possibly US movies may be to blame.
CB
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In reply to FesteringSore:
You think that's bad? I worked with a social worker who has 2 annoying speech habits.
Habit 1: She could not say 'said' at all, either it was "Kevin vocalised a desire to leave." or, "Jane advised she liked a drink." It was twaddlish!
Habit 2: She could not 'vocalise' straightforward agreement. She'd be like (JK!) "I don't disagree.". I can see that there are occasions when it makes more sense to just not disagree, but it'd be peppered throughout any case discussion. Eventually I just asked her to ether agree or disagree or 'advise' that she does not know - this led to her getting in a pure tailspin!
I also found the habit 'She turned around and said ....., so I turned around and said...' to be endemic in the homecare provider industry. Whilst listening to any description of a disagreement, my imagination would eventually have two spinning plump ladies! Damn my cartoon brain!
Anyhow, I think murderers, professionals, toffs and beta giving climbers all enjoy the occasional cultural speech badge! Of course I be like not nothing like that.....
You think that's bad? I worked with a social worker who has 2 annoying speech habits.
Habit 1: She could not say 'said' at all, either it was "Kevin vocalised a desire to leave." or, "Jane advised she liked a drink." It was twaddlish!
Habit 2: She could not 'vocalise' straightforward agreement. She'd be like (JK!) "I don't disagree.". I can see that there are occasions when it makes more sense to just not disagree, but it'd be peppered throughout any case discussion. Eventually I just asked her to ether agree or disagree or 'advise' that she does not know - this led to her getting in a pure tailspin!
I also found the habit 'She turned around and said ....., so I turned around and said...' to be endemic in the homecare provider industry. Whilst listening to any description of a disagreement, my imagination would eventually have two spinning plump ladies! Damn my cartoon brain!
Anyhow, I think murderers, professionals, toffs and beta giving climbers all enjoy the occasional cultural speech badge! Of course I be like not nothing like that.....
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In reply to FesteringSore:
Love this clip, count the "fams" and "bloods"
youtube.com/watch?v=ZJYuY3v2_2g&
Love this clip, count the "fams" and "bloods"
youtube.com/watch?v=ZJYuY3v2_2g&
In reply to Removed Userjess13:
Indeedy , indeedy.
> Last year it seemed everyone was saying 'absolutely' when a simple 'yes' would suffice. Still a few around but not as many, so perhaps they are just a short lived (but irritating) fashion.
Indeedy , indeedy.
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In reply to alan moore:
I am not blaming the Yanks, just presenting a potential explanation, and anyway I don´t really care (as I am German). However, I do remember from my time in the US (back in 1985) that "like" was at the time associated with your stereotypical "valley girls".
Maybe the use of "like" was initially used to avoid fully committing to what was said (similar to "kinda"). Certainly at one point it just became a fad, which may later have spread via US movies (like so many other things, including e.g. the word movies).
CB
I am not blaming the Yanks, just presenting a potential explanation, and anyway I don´t really care (as I am German). However, I do remember from my time in the US (back in 1985) that "like" was at the time associated with your stereotypical "valley girls".
Maybe the use of "like" was initially used to avoid fully committing to what was said (similar to "kinda"). Certainly at one point it just became a fad, which may later have spread via US movies (like so many other things, including e.g. the word movies).
CB
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In reply to cb294:
I can't hear the phrase "Valley girl" without thinking of this...
youtube.com/watch?v=p-LArv-sEQU&
I can't hear the phrase "Valley girl" without thinking of this...
youtube.com/watch?v=p-LArv-sEQU&
Post edited at 13:51
In reply to ultrabumbly:
Eloquently descriptive of my feelings towards most social services meetings....
Eloquently descriptive of my feelings towards most social services meetings....
In reply to FesteringSore:
I have a daughter who is setting out to become a teacher. She had to cover similes and metaphors in a lesson. That used to be easy, but now the scope for confusion has burgeoned:
I was like a statue. Easy.
I was like, "I'm not moving." Not so easy.
She went, "I was like, "I'm not moving"". No habla Ingles, and God knows where that last full stop should go.
I have a daughter who is setting out to become a teacher. She had to cover similes and metaphors in a lesson. That used to be easy, but now the scope for confusion has burgeoned:
I was like a statue. Easy.
I was like, "I'm not moving." Not so easy.
She went, "I was like, "I'm not moving"". No habla Ingles, and God knows where that last full stop should go.
In reply to FesteringSore:
...only "slovenly" in your opinion. Why do you think this use of 'like' is slovenly? Would it have been better if he'd been, like:
"'What I said went something along the lines of: 'you've killed him'
'Then what he said went something along the lines of 'I only punched him.'"
I think I prefer your original rendering. Only my personal preference, like.
> At one point there was a playback of the interview of one of the witnesses which went something along the lines of:
> "I was like 'you've killed him'"
> Does anyone know why people use such a slovenly turn of phrase
...only "slovenly" in your opinion. Why do you think this use of 'like' is slovenly? Would it have been better if he'd been, like:
"'What I said went something along the lines of: 'you've killed him'
'Then what he said went something along the lines of 'I only punched him.'"
I think I prefer your original rendering. Only my personal preference, like.
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In reply to MG:
I've got one with a maths and physics degree, that overuses that phrase( much to my annoyance)
Should I watch out in case she turns to murder
> Inarticulate murderers, what is the world coming to!?
I've got one with a maths and physics degree, that overuses that phrase( much to my annoyance)
Should I watch out in case she turns to murder
Post edited at 18:19
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In reply to flopsicle:
I'd happily employer her! Christ on a pogo stick, only 2? Are you sure she's a qualified social worker?
> You think that's bad? I worked with a social worker who has 2 annoying speech habits.
I'd happily employer her! Christ on a pogo stick, only 2? Are you sure she's a qualified social worker?
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In reply to johnjohn:
...and the opinion of many others. Some on this forum and many elsewhere.
> ...only "slovenly" in your opinion.
...and the opinion of many others. Some on this forum and many elsewhere.
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In reply to johnjohn:
"'I think I said 'you've killed him'
'I think he said 'I only punched him.'"
Fixed that for you. This, of course, assumes that there is an element of doubt on the part of the interviewee as to the exact wording, otherwise "I think" can be omitted.
"'I think I said 'you've killed him'
'I think he said 'I only punched him.'"
Fixed that for you. This, of course, assumes that there is an element of doubt on the part of the interviewee as to the exact wording, otherwise "I think" can be omitted.
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