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I see so much of myself in you. And by that I mean, you're insane.
Posted by: Suzanne | March 31, 2010 at 07:28 AM
So, I noticed that you began your previous blog post the same way:
"So a guy starts a discussion in a LinkedIn forum..."
So, the headline on that post isn't exactly a question, but it does start with the word "why."
Boxer, deck theyself! :-)
Posted by: Robert J Holland, ABC | March 31, 2010 at 07:39 AM
Robert, don't count me out just yet.
"So a skeleton walks into a bar, and sez, 'Gimme a beer, and a mop.'"
Starting a yarn with "so" has a long and honored tradition. Starting the answer to a question with "so" means you're answering the question with a yarn.
I didn't ask you for a yarn. I asked you for an answer.
Posted by: David Murray | March 31, 2010 at 07:46 AM
Not only that Dave but they end the sentence with 'right'.
Me to Suzanne,
'So we're having the good bottle of wine tonight, right?'
Just saying.
Posted by: Chris Salvo | March 31, 2010 at 07:49 AM
(And of course, Chris, that goes without saying anyway!)
Posted by: David Murray | March 31, 2010 at 07:52 AM
I am guilty of using "So" myself on lots of occasions. I'm not sure exactly why I do it, other than perhaps it lets me focus my though before I dive into my explanation/response. Now that you've made me think about it, I suppose I should probably focus my thoughts silently, but, at least I don't do the "Um," thing.
I mean, isn't "So," at least a bit better than "Um"?! We all cringe at the "Um" don't we?
Posted by: Kristen | March 31, 2010 at 08:38 AM
Um ... I say "um" a lot, and I sure wish I didn't. I marvel at people who can speak continuously and concisely, extemporaneously.
But I think "um" is a little different from "so," in that it's a space filler.
"So," on the other hand, seems to be a subtle way of warning your questioner that you're about to be long-winded.
And maybe it's perfectly useful for that purpose. But we ought to know, at least, why we're doing it.
Posted by: David Murray | March 31, 2010 at 08:44 AM
That's interesting. I wouldn't have said "So" necessarily means: "Warning, long-winded ahead" but it would be interesting to hear others thoughts on that contention.
Far be it from me to try to judge whether I'm usually long-winded when I start with "So" but from my perspective that isn't what it denotes. For me, it is also a space filler that gives me an extra second or two to gather my thought, which actually, now that I think about it, helps me NOT be long-winded.
Posted by: Kristen | March 31, 2010 at 08:59 AM
But you never answer:
"So ... no."
or
"So ... yes."
or
"So ... probably not."
No. In my experience, "so" means: Let's begin at the beginning.
Despite all appearances to the contrary, I, too, am interested in what others say.
Posted by: David Murray | March 31, 2010 at 09:07 AM
I use "so" all the time in my column writing, and I'm hoping my latest column didn't inspire this rant.
Posted by: Eileen | March 31, 2010 at 09:32 AM
No, Eileen. It's a certain type of usage. It's using "so" to begin the answer to a question.
I'm fine with all other uses of "so" (and sew, and sow for that matter).
Posted by: David Murray | March 31, 2010 at 09:46 AM
Maybe what they're really saying is "Sew" because they're all reps for the American Threadmakers Association.
Posted by: Glynn | March 31, 2010 at 11:11 AM
That, at least, would explain it!
Posted by: David Murray | March 31, 2010 at 11:13 AM
I know, right?
Oh, wait. That's another thing I can't stand.
Posted by: Robert J Holland, ABC | March 31, 2010 at 11:39 AM
Toastmasters, International helps you to rid your speech of the "so," "uhm," "err" and "ahh" fillers.
It also lets you talk for 5 to 7 minutes about any topic that interests you, for example, trends in the language.
I just won an Area Speech Contest in which I talked about my gray hair, trapping monkeys, and other subjects. Not a single "so" in the entire talk.
Posted by: Tom Keefe | March 31, 2010 at 02:56 PM
So ... can we see a tape, Tom??
Posted by: David Murray | March 31, 2010 at 02:57 PM
I recorded it with a Flip camera, but mostly for my review. If I upload it to my YouTube channel, I will be glad to share it with you.
Anyone visiting the Northbrook, IL area at about 7 p.m. on Thursday, April 29 can cheer (or jeer) me on live as I compete in the Division-level contest.
Northbrook Library
1201 Cedar Lane
Northbrook, IL 60062
I guarantee: No "so"
Posted by: Tom Keefe | March 31, 2010 at 04:21 PM
I do it, David. I also say "you know?" waaaay too much. For this and my many other linguistic offenses, I humbly beg the pardon of the well-spoken and the verbal cognocenti. Maybe we can start a support group? Ya know...so we can get some, um, help.
Posted by: Amy | April 01, 2010 at 05:27 PM