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Like

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Wheniwasyourage Sun 29-Jul-12 19:43:37

When I become world president, nobody under the age of 30 is going to be allowed to use the word "like" in any context at all, including that of affection. On a train the other day I couldn't help hearing the conversation of a couple of young women who were, apparently, about to go to university (and so one would assume that they had had some education aready), and it seemed as if every second word was "like". We all have verbal tics from time to time, but this one has been going on for years and doesn't seem to be dying out at all. Does anyone have any ideas about how we could persuade the young to stop wasting their breath in this way? Could we perhaps tax the use of the word? It might solve the recession.

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NfkDumpling Wed 08-Aug-12 19:30:31

Just heard a chap in the show jumping team on our local news saying how great it is that the team had meddled in show jumping. I feel sure it isn't legal!

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Mishap Wed 08-Aug-12 19:54:30

"Like" used instead of "as if" - how that grates! - as in "It looks like he's lost his head." - as if, as if please!!

And sat instead of sitting - "He was sat in his chair" - no, no, no!

I could go on, but won't.....except to say that "on a daily basis" makes my skin creep! Why not daily?

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Bags Wed 08-Aug-12 20:53:06

Why hasn't anyone started a thread about hated Ozzyisms, or Kiwi-isms?

Just askin'

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Henrietta Wed 08-Aug-12 20:57:44

Here I go again ranting about the way language is used. I got an email the other day which began,
'This is to let you all know that ..... has went live this morning.'
The blood went over my brain and I had to stop reading.

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Annobel Wed 08-Aug-12 21:26:20

Language evolves, Mishap. I too dislike the use of 'like' instead of 'as if' but I think we may have lost that battle. We've discussed 'sat' and 'stood' where most of us would say 'sitting' and 'standing'. These are regional usages which seem to be gaining wider currency. I'd say that they're acceptable in speech but not in writing.

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