Why do we say “like,” like, all the time?

Sometimes I think of it in this way: if the words already exist to describe something new then maybe it is not truly that novel after all.

A phrase that’s been showing up recently is, “no pressure.” It usually comes in a pitch letter of some sort, written by someone who isn’t in a position to exert any pressure.

So why say it?

It’s a bit like, “while supplies last.” And “to be honest…” which is perhaps the most self-negating of the three.

It’s throat-clearing, a word salad designed to so... See more