Does anyone else (this is probably more directed at girls than guys) say "like" all of the time. I'm sure if you've read a healthy amount of my posts, you'll see that I tend to say it every so often (or more sometimes). Shiri noticed it >.>.

Or did anyone -used- to say it? I say it more when I'm nervous also, or if I'm saying something without thinking first. My english teacher counted how many times I said it during a 3 minute presentation and it was...well over 50 times. If so, what's a good way to stop saying it all of the time :/. I am ashamed of it, aside from the fact that all of my friends (even some guys) do it.

I say it sometimes. Not constantly, I don't think, but it does slip out now and then.

Like I don't realize I'm doing it or something.

My sister will make fun of me, she'll go "Is it like (whatever I was talking about) or is it (whatever I was talking about)?" And then I'll have to smack her on the head or something cause she's younger than I am.

Hm. I read an article once about an English teacher who wouldn't let her class use 'like' at all (even with its proper meaning)..I forgot what she did to actually enforce that, but the students started making an active effort to pay attention to what they were saying, using better words in place of both uses of 'like', and so forth. Try just listening to yourself for a while, and..I don't know, have a cookie every time you can go a whole day without saying it.

Even if they were using it to make a similie?

I read an article somewhere that teenagers or young adults use "like" alot because of a lack of self confidence and feelings of not being able to convey their thoughts to others. Or something like that. No offense to you though Veonira.

I don't think it's lack of self confidence in what I'm saying . I've found that if I think about saying "like," I talk really slowly. It's more of something that I've been saying since I was in about 4th grade, and it's hard to stop saying.

I have like no idea what your talking about. like.

Here in like Cali, we like call it the Valley girl accent.

Its tubular!

*dies*

Now hey, I don't say tubular!

I throw it in every once in awhile, most often when quoting people. "He was, like...".

I've heard some girls who literally say it every 2-4 words.

Mine is "ya'know".

"That's cool, ya'know, when he did that.

Yeah. I don't even notice it really, unless I've recently been thinking of how people say it. I don't think I'm -that- bad, as in every 2-4 words, but I definitely use it when telling stories in the way you said, or when I'm pausing to think. So it ends up coming out as something like..."And like...."

Something I do that's kind of similar is to end things with 'I promise'

"That was so funny. I promise."
"It was the biggest dog I've ever seen. I promise."
"God, that sucks. I promise."
"I'm an incredible jackass. I promise."

Stuff like that.

You just need to make a concious effort not to say it. Maybe a rubberband to flick when you do to help reinforce it. Most importantly try not to replace it with another word! It sounds like a space filler, like "uh" or "uhm".

In highschool, I had a principal who would say "uh" every sentence at least :|

I used to do the 'Like' thing. Now I just raise my voice and then lower it at random intervals. >_<. I weaned myself off it by speaking same speed, just thinking through each sentance first. Then bashing it with a hammer if contained 'like'.

"uh/uhm" and "like" are commonly referred to as language crutches. They allow the speaker to collect thoughts and ideas without any cessation of talking. They bridge the gap between how fast your mind comes up with what to say and the speed at which you talk.

Solution: Practice and experience. Talking in front of a group really helps. Grab a friend and talk to him/her as if you were giving a speech on something you know a lot about, but start off slow to avoid using "like." You will notice that you naturally begin to talk faster as your mind catches up with your words. Enunciating important words helps remove the urge to use "like" because it provides you with a convenient, short pause as you talk while keeping your mind on topic with what you are talking about. "Like" often denotes a digression, so consciously staying on topic will help too.

Hope this helps.

Yes, Veonira, and now -I'm- starting to do it. And I'm doing your dang :/ smiley all the time too. And I normally do the proper ones an' all. Arghhh.

Like-Seriously-Way-Yeah... They must die.

Funny coincidence! My english teacher put up a like jar today, and we all have to observe someone else in the class and count the number of times they use "like", then put a penny into the jar for every time we say it!

Yeah, I find myself constantly saying "like" and "y'know" during conversations. That's why I much prefer portraying myself in writing because I don't make that mistake.

Uh, like, seriously?