So...

Little House on Unaka | November 19, 2013 | don-o

[BenLurkin]

So this seems to be a trend?

[Ditter]

I think “back in the day” has replaced “when I was young” for the boomers. They refuse to admit they are no longer young. OK right? :)

[Paine in the Neck]

“So” also establishes what came before as settled “fact”

Actually, I hear it used most often as conversational lubrication from people who do not have the confidence to just say what they want to say. For example: "The weather is nice today" now becomes "Soooo, the weather is nice today". The people who use it seem uncomforatble that their assertion or conversational offering will be acceptable. It functions like a conversational tail between the legs as when a dog approaches a stranger and isn't sure if it will get patted or kicked.

[don-o]

It is meant to be a trick, that’s why it is annoying.

Yes! That is the crux of it. Clever use of the language to deceive needs to be a red flag. It's a more blatant form of subliminal advertising.

[don-o]

Now that I reflect, I should have used “once upon a time...”

[holden]

I very much appreciate your point and enjoy hearing how one might be more polite! My, don't we need more civility on this side of the Pacific?!

However, I do think you've happened upon another meaning of 'so', that being "the way things are".

I believe the the two uses are related in that my earlier "so" is a compact particle for "OK, things being as they may (from the previous discussion)" consider now what I'm about to say."

HF

[don-o]

Wouldn’t “very well..” serve the same purpose and acknowledge the value of what had been stated?

[holden]

I understand your point much better now. Thanks. Yes, that seems to break down and corrupt an otherwise honed use of English.

HF

[deweyfrank]

Yes, I have noticed it. Been hearing it for last several months on TV, Congressional hearings, etc. It is annoying and drives me nuts. I too, would like the answer to your questions.

[holden]

I agree that “very well” accomplishes much of the same, but for me, at least, “so” more clearly has an edge of “I’d like to move on.” (Isn’t that so? (I’m learning politeness.))

HF

[Marie Antoinette]

My kids say literally, literally all the time! ;) It drives me nuts. A few of them don’t even know what the word means yet.

[don-o]

I too, would like the answer to your questions.

NPR also had a brief mention, this morning, of the newest word that the Oxford Dictionary has accepted. They reported that "selfie" was first used ten years ago (I believe they even had the source). I wonder if that might be the resource for tracking "so".

[McGruff]

So, buttons on your underwear.

[don-o]

Hush! The adults are talking here :)

[Arrowhead1952]

3. How did it get started?

Publick skreowels.

[elcid1970]

When Churchill’s secretary criticized his ending sentences with prepositions, he testily replied,

“This is the sort of nonsense up with which I will not put!!”

[Colonel_Flagg]

"So..."

A needle pulling thread?

:)

[don-o]

34

[Colonel_Flagg]

In seriousness, though, you’re quite correct. We are becoming increasingly lax in our use of language. Someone else posted that this site used to be a place where you could hone communicative skills. Some people still challenge the intellect here.

Others just talk about ‘marshall law’. Sigh.

[meowmeow]

A younger coworker was practicing a presentation in front of me and started every slide with "So..." I brought it to his attention and then gave him the skunk eye whenever he did it in the actual presentation. He broke the habit quickly - and sounded like a much more polished speaker.

The poor speaking habits of the illiterate, TV addled masses have a way of infecting everyone else. I have to lecture several times each month so I'm always vigilant of picking up new speech-crap in my own habits! It's surprising how easily it can happen.