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Can we stop using the phrase "I mean" in every other sentence we speak? (Original Post) CTyankee Jul 2021 OP
"I mean, it's like, fersure, ya know?" lastlib Jul 2021 #1
You are correct in your criticism, you know, like, totally. Thomas Hurt Jul 2021 #2
I totally understand and agree. Ya know? It's AMAZING what we learn. And, you got that right. CTyankee Jul 2021 #3
I don't know anyone who talks like that. N/T Foolacious Jul 2021 #4
Watch a televised interview with an athlete. Iggo Jul 2021 #21
I mean when I eat your piece of pie. Pobeka Jul 2021 #5
Start with Rachel Maddow. Earth-shine Jul 2021 #6
No dweller Jul 2021 #7
Do we have a statistical problem with "mean"? sanatanadharma Jul 2021 #8
Same for "you know" - if we know, why are you telling us? csziggy Jul 2021 #9
My mom says "you know" all the time. SharonClark Jul 2021 #22
I was lucky, my oldest sister went off on me one day when I was about fourteen csziggy Jul 2021 #23
Well....... Chipper Chat Jul 2021 #10
Well, like, I don't mean, grumpyduck Jul 2021 #11
This message was self-deleted by its author sl8 Jul 2021 #12
I was waiting for that. Twoflower Jul 2021 #13
Talking heads on TV are asked a question and many start off with: "I think that..." sprinkleeninow Jul 2021 #14
Now that we have that settled what ever happened doc03 Jul 2021 #15
that phrase was used nicely in "The Iron Lady" when Margaret Thatcher has her speech in front CTyankee Jul 2021 #19
It's preferable to "awesome"... First Speaker Jul 2021 #16
My sis broke me of my habit of saying "you know" decades ago! 😄 electric_blue68 Jul 2021 #17
I mean, why would I do that, you know, OK, I mean, like, why? NNadir Jul 2021 #18
Absolutely. lpbk2713 Jul 2021 #20
Or, whatEVER when meant to be petulant, like a pouty teen.... CTyankee Jul 2021 #27
My pet peeve is "Me, personally" Yavin4 Jul 2021 #24
Whatever happened to "You're Welcome"? Tracer Jul 2021 #25
There are times I say "My pleasure" if I really mean it and mean it warmly. CTyankee Jul 2021 #26

Iggo

(47,487 posts)
21. Watch a televised interview with an athlete.
Sat Jul 10, 2021, 06:15 PM
Jul 2021

It’s the first words out of their mouths.

They haven’t even said anything yet, and they’re already telling you what they mean.

Pobeka

(4,999 posts)
5. I mean when I eat your piece of pie.
Sat Jul 10, 2021, 01:16 PM
Jul 2021

On the other hand, you mean when you eat my piece of pie.

Now I want some pie!

sanatanadharma

(3,639 posts)
8. Do we have a statistical problem with "mean"?
Sat Jul 10, 2021, 01:37 PM
Jul 2021

Not to be mean, but I do not know what you mean.
Do we have a statistical problem with "mean"? Perhaps the mode or the medium has to be considered in the meantime?
Or do we mean to meander the mean-streets without meaningful motives.

csziggy

(34,120 posts)
9. Same for "you know" - if we know, why are you telling us?
Sat Jul 10, 2021, 01:41 PM
Jul 2021

That's what I always think as they say it.

I think both phrases (and other filler phrases) are there to provide space for the speaker to think. I would prefer that they pause before their answer so they can give it without those verbal hiccups.

SharonClark

(10,005 posts)
22. My mom says "you know" all the time.
Sun Jul 11, 2021, 04:37 PM
Jul 2021

My sister says "anyway...".
Heard a guest on a public radio entertainment show this morning say "like" every third word.

I get distracted by their filler phrases and miss what they're attempting to say.

csziggy

(34,120 posts)
23. I was lucky, my oldest sister went off on me one day when I was about fourteen
Mon Jul 12, 2021, 12:53 AM
Jul 2021

About using "you know" while talking. She was brilliant, did public speaking, and was trying to teach me to be more effective in communication. It worked - I don't often use filler phrases and it annoys me to hear people doing it in the media.

Response to CTyankee (Original post)

sprinkleeninow

(20,133 posts)
14. Talking heads on TV are asked a question and many start off with: "I think that..."
Sat Jul 10, 2021, 03:21 PM
Jul 2021

The other phrase that bugs me is: "At the end of the day..."

No whut Ah meen? 😆

doc03

(35,148 posts)
15. Now that we have that settled what ever happened
Sat Jul 10, 2021, 03:51 PM
Jul 2021

to "pardon me" or "excuse me" ? Now it is "My Bad".
WTF
Or saying "with all due respect" to someone that deserves no respect.

CTyankee

(63,769 posts)
19. that phrase was used nicely in "The Iron Lady" when Margaret Thatcher has her speech in front
Sat Jul 10, 2021, 04:57 PM
Jul 2021

of all those men in the Parliament. I loved that movie. Ever since I saw it, I always envision Meryl Streep in that poufy wig responding to the sexist manner in which she is addressed when I think of Thatcher and I have to stop and reroute my memory to the real Thatcher. No wonder Streep got an Oscar for that movie...

Yavin4

(35,355 posts)
24. My pet peeve is "Me, personally"
Mon Jul 12, 2021, 01:12 AM
Jul 2021

As in, "Me, personally, I think that the refs made some bad calls tonight".

Tracer

(2,769 posts)
25. Whatever happened to "You're Welcome"?
Mon Jul 12, 2021, 09:32 AM
Jul 2021

Every single guest on an MSNBC show says "Thank YOU" when thanked by the host for appearing on the show.

Rachel: Thanks for being here. Guest: Thank YOU.
Chris: Thanks for being here. Guest: Thank YOU.

I'll faint when one of the guests says "You're welcome".

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