Do you needlessly use filler words?

Why use more word when less word work

Filler words carry meaning, even if they don't have specific definitions in context. Like, "like" has a dictionary definition, but if you use it as, like, a filler word, you aren't using that definition (necessarily), but it still conveys something about how the speaker is thinking. They don't just pop up in speech at random. I like catching them and trying to interpret why speakers insert them where they do.

Like, "lowkey" is usually* sometimes used to soften harsh language e.g. "I'm lowkey gonna murder Sarah if she doesn't stop chewing her gum with her mouth open". Kinda how "kinda" works as a filler to tone down whatever is being said. I don't actually want to murder Sarah, I just kinda want to murder her. I don't even know if I would call them "proper filler words" in the same sense that "like" is, since they do have a particular function that "like" as a filler lacks. More research is needed it seems.

For me, I let 'em fly. If I had to deliver a speech I would probably include fewer than I usually use in casual conversation, but I don't hold with the rule that they're strictly to be avoided. I think they're neat.

* edit: I just know how I've heard it used, I have no idea how it's usually used. I'm lowkey not in the lowkey demographic.

No, I mean I don't use them needlessly or whatever. I kinda use them to sorta let my thoughts buffer.

For some reason, I have an incredibly difficult time not saying like.

I bet if there were a word cloud of mymost commonly used words of all of my posts, "like" would be the sun in my fucking word solar system.

Um, like, no?

IRL I often use too few filler words and get perceived to be blunt or direct. So I think there is a middle ground.

I'm always annoyed by the term lowkey, because in music, low key means lower pitch, and not low in volume. It's essentially bass, and my brain cannot comprehend how it could mean what it's supposed to mean.

Do you needlessly use filler words?

I grew up in a house with a swear word jar, and a filler word jar. The swear word jar worked differently than most. We didn't put a quarter in every time we used a swear word. We put a dollar in every time we use a swear word incorrectly or as a filler word. According to my parents, "profanity should be used as punctuation and emphasis, not decoration."

The filler word jar worked like a normal swear word jar. $0.25 in the jar for each and every filler word we used. Since this was in the '80s and '90s, we learned to think about what we said before we started speaking.

No

I, like, totally do!

It's only when I see "lowkey" used to mean the exact opposite of its intended meaning, and without being sarcastic that I get annoyed. If it's hella loud and/or flashy, that shit is not lowkey, kiddos.

I like the extra verbosity. When used in moderation anyway. A little bit of seasoning for my sentences.

Wouldn't call it 'needless' exactly.

I'm ready for people to move on from describing 85% of things as "unhinged".

I, you know, low-key do sometimes, ahem, use, like, some, ahem, filler, ahem, you know, words, right.
No really, I do. Not as bad as above "sentence." But I tend to sprinkle some "basically" and "just" into each comment I make.
And yes, I hate when others do it.

Hmm, well, uh, maybe?

Yes I use needless filler words, but i use them because I need them ;)

Low key is a really egregious one though because it is not designed to be a filler word. The thing about filler words is that every adverb is a filler word, as neuroneiro points out. Using them less makes you sound confident and precise. Sometimes they are useful or necessary. But by definition - a filler word. It is likely our overuse of adverts which trains us to use filler words like sort of, low key, kind of

I use "umm... " and "uuuh..." to let my thoughts buffer when I talk.

I would like to think I don't use filler words but this is a good opportunity for some self reflection. Thank you.

Yes

I think I understand what you're talking about. I wouldn't classify the extra words I use as strictly "filler" words. My phrasing is designed to avoid speaking in absolutes. I'm sure it was intentional at one point but it's been a habit for so long that it's become automatic.

I've considered why I do this and come up with a few reasons. First, because I routinely doubt myself. Even on topics where I am an expert. Imposter syndrome is real. Second, because I often find myself having to deliver news that the other person(s) doesn't want to hear and I feel like it helps "soften the blow." And third, to give myself the feeling of plausible denyability; even if there really is none. e.g. "I said could happen, not would happen."

TLDR: Because I doubt myself and want to avoid conflict.

But there are times when I will drop the fillers. And it's not really a conscious effort. If I'm talking about something I feel morally responsible for, I will drop the bullshit and get straight to the point. It happens when I've decided that I'm going to die on this [proverbial] hill and that doing what I think is right outweighs any potential consequences. I can coun't on one, maybe two hands where I've felt I had to choose between a job or a friend and my personal ethics.

In those moments, the fillers go away because my choice is already made.

For sure, I do. I also think that's normal, because you sometimes need filler to let your brain catch up with your words. The filler words I find annoying are the ones that don't "fit" the context, but that's subjective, and younger people probably think "low-key" fits more often than I do.

Yes, I definitely do. It's because my brain runs quite slowly, slower than I talk. So I often need to put in filler words to let my brain catch up. Or I repeat the same thing I just said but in a different way.

It's odd how the brain can kindof pre-load the mouth with a sentence, then while the sentence is playing, it hunts for the next sentence to cue. If the next sentence is not ready yet, then the mouth goes into autopilot. It puts in filler words to make the sentence longer, and loops back on other things I've already said.

I like, had like a serious like problem with like filler words, like as a 90s kid in like SoCal, but like, I've mostly like overcome it

such words can be useful to signal being slightly uncomfortable about the fact... when not overused. i see your point, of course!

Maybe you let your friend know you realized you’re a hypocrite?

I do, but I try to catch myself from saying uh and um between sentences. Similarly, I've noticed I have a habit of breathing in sharply after I say something, which I'm sure no one else notices but I feel is still annoying.

The Title should be "Do You Use Filler Words?" not "Do You Needlessly Use Filler Words?". At least I really, really, really think so. /s

We're all hypocrites, it happens, just don't let it happen with important shit.

Fuck no!

I sometimes correct zoomers if something is actually high key.

I mean, like, sorta kinda yeah

We all do, yeah. I just try and delete them when I'm writing anything for my blog. My big one used to be "technically," and at this point I'm debating installing something that shocks me every time I type the word "realistically" because I use it way too much.

For me it's a lack of confidence thing. Sorta/kinda/etc are there for their own reasons, I have a few theories but haven't actually looked into it much

My fave was when a GenZ said, in all seriousness, that they were 'starting to think Andy Warhol was LOWKEY obsessed with celebrities'!!!

I'm the opposite in a way, I tend to look for a specific word and when I can't find it right away it can make for awkward pauses in my speech. I'm working on it.

But when I was younger, sure, tons of filler words. It gets better

uhh NO!?

Uhhh idk like um maybe

I use "really" and "very" way too much.

When editing my writings, I keep an eye out for those words especially, and either delete them or replace them. So, instead of "very happy", I might write "thrilled" or "ecstatic."

Oh definitely. The way I use language changes drastically based on the situation. I try to avoid it as much as I can - which means I still end up using them plenty often enough lol. And that's the biggest culprit right there, appending 'lol' in text to come across more agreeable/chill.

I do find it interesting how the filler words differ between generations. Lowkey I mix slang from millenials, gen z, and just a splash of gen x. Whatever suits the scenario and my mood :D

Er, no.

I try not to. When I catch myself doing it, I remind myself not to.

I need my filler words!

Usually meant to increase the degree to which I'm being absurd or facetious. It's a manner of showing contempt for the thing I'm describing. I use it to joke more than with actual dialog.

But "kinda" probably happens in my daily vocabulary to such a degree that I'm unaware how much I use it. So, despite using this sort of word deliberately in certain situations, I'm also very guilty of using it everywhere else.

It’s a form of verbal punctuation

I mean... For real, yeah, I guess, kinda lowkey.

It's a continued training for me to eliminate these filler words. I try to remind myself that space between words is OK. Silence is ok and actually much needed in our society. Give yourself a second to form your next thought in silence. Yes it's uncomfortable at first to adjust the habbit. But similar to meditation, dont be hard on yourself when you use a filler word again. Just the repeated act of noticing trains that muscle.

Uhhh, no I mean I don't think I uh, huh, use filler words.

I wouldn't call you a hypocrite, let alone a massive fucking one, but definitely self-absorbed and guilty of overgeneralizing one person to a whole generation - which is not only grossly inaccurate but I think is more significant than being annoyed by throwaway words, which is more of a little pet peeve. Do you srsly categorize your friends as "my GenZ friend" or "the boomer guy I work with" etc? That's kinda fucked up, and I say "kinda" because it's not like you burned down an orphanage or anything.