Kahar+M’s+2016+OpEd+Article

LIKE UMMMM...YOU KNOW!

 The American Society has been infested with an epidemic in the most obnoxious form. There is no doubt that filler words have been around for a very long time. In fact it would be safe to consider that it has been around for as long as there have been spoken words. However, the excessive and outrageous amount of filler words used per sentence that occurs to the general population in this day and age is disproportional to any other previous generation. The fault cannot be blamed entirely on our generation however. Filler words that infect this generation such as “like” and “you know” was coined during the early twentieth century. Our generation has, in our infinite wisdom, taken it upon ourselves to popularize these filler words.

These words especially the word “like” is such a versatile word allowing for it to be used as a noun, adjective, preposition,conjunction, and an adverb. However this versatility gives it no reason for it to show up so often in our everyday conversation. It's perfectly fine to use the word “like” but the constant barrage of its use kills the conversation. The audience “like”loses the direction of “like” the conversation because they are “like” so busy losing their IQ level “ like” every 5 seconds.

In the past the sound “umm” was a consistent contestant for the filler word award and it still holds a place in today's competition. Though not as prominently noticed as the word “like” the sound “umm” still has a huge impact on conversation in present day. In contrast to “like” which sounds similar to nails on chalkboard, “ umm” has more of a soothing and less pronounced undertone that allows for it to go slightly unnoticed. However, “umm” is still a hackneyed and stale word that diffuses the conversation showing yet again the intelligence, or lack of, to the audience.

 Lastly the unoriginal "you know". If someone asks you a question how can you respond with "you know". The person asked the question for a reason... Because they don't know. That isn't the worst part though. The constant use of it that qualifies it to become a filler word puts an unintelligent spin to the speaker's character. Though the "you know" filler word is a sufficient contestant it does not show up in the majority of people's vocabulary and thus earns only a small prize in today's competition.

It's no doubt that filler words have taken over our world and for the worst. Making us sound unintelligent and constantly bringing shame to the dictionary. It is an ever constant unpleasant sound that has become a background noise to some, while to others it is still a constant whip to the ear.