I have now become hyper-aware of how often I use that phrase

Are there any phrases that people have told you you overuse or are characteristic of how you talk?

  • InevitableSwing [none/use name]
    ·
    6 months ago

    My problem is what Wikipedia calls semiarticulate utterances: huh, uh, erm, um, hmm, etc. If I ever wanted to do something like a podcast - I'd first prepare by trying to figure out how I can drastically cut down using them. I have no idea how. But I think I might have no choice but to end up with an unfortunately Obama-like way of speaking. What I mean to say... is that the number of pauses... would be noticeable. Still - all things considered... that's better than saying "um" and similar phrases... all the time.

      • InevitableSwing [none/use name]
        ·
        6 months ago

        Just editing out the hemming-and-hawing might be tricky. Unfortunately I digress too. "I think it's like a scene in Logan's Run where they meet the old man... mmm... That was a real 1970s movie even though it came out in the 198—... Hmm... It *did come out in 70s. Why did I think 80s? What movie was I thinking of?... erm... Logan's Run but not Logan's Run.... But maybe the old man scene was a different movie altogether?"

        I prefer the net. When I tell my Logan's Run story - it's concise, smooth, and I've fixed all the details because I googled if needed. If I did a one-man podcast and I was my own editor I would drive myself crazy.

      • InevitableSwing [none/use name]
        ·
        6 months ago

        You got me wondering how fast I could speak coherently if I tried as hard as I could. My hunch is... not very fast at all. So much for my future second career as a cattle auctioneer. : (

        ---

        Ninja edit

        Maybe I could still be a popular cattle auctioneer by inserting my own random, set phrases into my spiel. It would help me to speak faster and it would be unique to me.

        "20,000-ah. Do I hear 20,000-ah? Third Stone From the Sun-ah. Excellent song-ah. Do I— $20,000! Do I hear 30,000-ah?..."