As I cruise through the years of my late 30’s, I like to think of myself as at least somewhat hip. I mean, just last week I downloaded a Fergie tune to my Ipod! But I know that inevitably, the battle to stay cool will be lost.
The first sign is that teenagers are starting to annoy me. How crotchety is that? I don’t mean to shake my cane too hard, but the other night I was privy to some teen conversation and it was like nails on a chalkboard. Why? Misuse of the word “like.” You can see where this is going. Webster’s dictionary defines the word like this way –
Like
Adjective
1. Resembling or similar; having the same or some of the same characteristics; often used in combination; “suits of like design”; “a limited circle of like minds”; “members of the cat family have like dispositions”; “as like as two peas in a pod”; “doglike devotion”; “a dreamlike quality”.
2. Equal in amount or value; “like amounts”; “equivalent amounts”; “the same amount”; “gave one six blows and the other a like number”; “an equal number”; “the same number”.
3. Having the same or similar characteristics; “all politicians are alike”; “they looked utterly alike”; “friends are generally alike in background and taste”.
4. Conforming in every respect; “boxes with corresponding dimensions”; “the like period of the preceding year”.
Verb
1. Prefer or wish to do something; “Do you care to try this dish?” “Would you like to come along to the movies?”.
2. Find enjoyable or agreeable; “I like jogging”; “She likes to read Russian novels”.
3. Be fond of; “I like my nephews”.
4. Feel about or towards; consider, evaluate, or regard; “How did you like the President’s speech last night?”.
5. Want to have; “I’d like a beer now!”.
Nowhere does this definition include using the word in a manner like (See? A correct usage!) I heard the other night. I had the misfortune of walking across a college campus with a gaggle of giggly girls right behind me. (My misfortune was doubled because the campus was College Park, MD after State blew the game in the second half) “Like, he told me that he was going to the party. And then I was like, no you’re not. So then I told him that he could like, stop calling me.” That’s an exact quote.
Argh! Now I’m no prude. I know that teens and college kids have their own lingo. When I was younger (Oh my God, I cannot believe I just typed those words.) if any of my friends and I really liked something it was “bad” or “sweet.” Come to think of it, I still use sweet pretty often, thus showing my age. We even had this dumb thing we’d do called “lackwards banguage.” But at worst, we were just using slang by assigning one word’s meaning to another. Slang isn’t necessarily grammatically incorrect.
If we’re honest, the word “like” is the new “ummm.” It is a placeholder while the teenager’s thoughts catch up with their mouth. And since the speed of all communication is increasing every year, it makes sense that speech patterns would struggle to keep pace. Frankly, the misuse of like drives me crazy because I think it sounds stupid. The words that a person says are a close second to appearance in how they are perceived.
So to all my parent readers, please do me a favor. Many of your kids are now in elementary school or are ‘tweens. PLEASE start correcting this bad habit as soon as it rears its ugly head. (Trust me, it will.) If we all start working on the problem now, maybe I’ll have to shake my cane at something else – like tramp stamps!
10 responses so far ↓
Genie // February 11, 2008 at 11:49 pm
Oh, come now, Curmudgeonly SMD…there’s not a thing wrong with a good tattoo! I mean, like, really!
I will admit that I have been known to overuse “like” and to do so inappropriately, and I’m both 34 and a writer. Go figure. Perhaps I’m just getting in touch with my inner child? Or inner teenager? Or something?
Redneck // February 12, 2008 at 8:48 am
“As I cruise through the years of my late 30’s, I like to think of myself as at least somewhat hip. I mean, just last week I downloaded a Fergie tune to my Ipod! But I know that inevitably, the battle to stay cool will be lost.”
That is one of the most disturbing things I’ve ever read. First, you still wear a seer-sucker suit - those haven’t been cool since Matlock put one on in 1982. And, I just got a mental image of you popping and spinning circa 1985!
Don’t wear your disco clothes to the grunge party - they might laugh.
That Girl // February 12, 2008 at 9:09 am
Are you like serious?
southernmaledemocrat // February 12, 2008 at 9:10 am
^^At least most of my wardrobe isn’t of the “Big Louie” brand.
(Sorry for the inside joke folks…)
RM // February 12, 2008 at 9:26 am
I am an offender (or victim, depending upon how you look at it) of the “like” disease. I was introduced to some people at an event, and was told afterwords that I [over] used the work “like.” I was told this by an older person who was trying to help me, and I appreciated that they called me on it. I “like” didn’t even realize that I was doing it. I’m thankful that this person pointed it out to me, as now I am more aware of this problem. This terms sounds horrible, but pales when compared to the realization that you do it yourself.
Thanks SMD for contributing to my self improvement. I would ask that anyone who notices someone that they are “cool” with doing this, that they point it out to them (tactfully and in private of course!) If they care about how they are perceived, they will appreciate it.
Now, back to those college girls…
I heard that SMD walked up to them all smooth, and said “like, what did you girls think of the game?” and “are you girls, like, going to a party?” They said “like, no, and stay away from me old man!” SMD was like “whatever!” and slinked away.
Just what I heard…
Kristen // February 12, 2008 at 12:24 pm
I always knew there was a grumpy old man inside you, just dying to get out! Okay, so I’ll agree with you on the tattoo thing, but as someone who proudly went through her Valley Girl phase and has managed to grow out of it with grace, I think I can rightfully say… “GET OVER IT!” Give me a break…teens are teens…kids will be kids. Miraculously, we all grow up and eventually see the err of our ways. Isn’t that, like, totally bitchin’?!
P.S. - You’ve never seen a day of “cool” in your entire life. Give it up. ;>)
Angela // February 12, 2008 at 12:34 pm
Oh. Don’t even start discussing tramp stamps. I happen to have one. And, you know what? As a 26 year-old attorney, I use the word “totally” somewhat often (I blame this on my current geographical residence - Southern California).
I think you are a bit crotchety. [Of course, I say this with a smile on my face - it's all love.] “Like” does sound stupid. However, children and teenagers do seem to grow out of it. I suppose I would rather have my (non-existent) children going around saying “like” vs. various inappropriate expletives.
Redneck // February 12, 2008 at 1:37 pm
Don’t make me go shopping with you for suits in the “Executive” eeehhhhmm…..”portly” section of the store
))))
Hag // February 12, 2008 at 1:47 pm
Dude, I do the same thing with the word “dude”.
Wolfdoc's wife // February 12, 2008 at 7:30 pm
I am in COMPLETE agreement with you, SMD. When I hear “like” used as you quoted it makes my skin crawl. My 5 year old daughter has already picked up the habit. Don’t worry, I correct her regularly. She is 5….the girls on the Maryland campus are say…..18 or so. I am not sure they do grow out of it. Correct the problem when kids are young and we might actually have teenage children that sound reasonably intelligent.