[whattajoke]

I can't believe "like" didn't, "like," finish first. My wife and I are both 30 and we marvel at the now accepted use of this in the place of a comma, semi-colon, or ellipse.

When we hear our elders use it, it's akin to nails on chalkboard. When we hear it on TV, it's equally grating. But EVERYbody simply accepts it now! It's crazy... Yes, we have noticed that it has now become ok to use it across the pond as well.

(Note: I catch myself using it from time to time. Argh!)

[GraceCoolidge]

Perhaps many responders to the survey don't consider this irritating use of "like" to be a cliche. I'm not sure it fits the definition of one. For most annoying speech pattern, I agree with you it's probably, like, the winner.