It may feel like filler words such as "like" have become more commonplace in conversation since Cher in "Clueless" paved the way for those fetch "Mean Girls."
A study published in the Journal of Language and Social Psychology examined filler words (I mean, you know, like, uh, um), how they are used and by whom by recording on an Electronically Activated Recorder (EAR). Researchers sampled 263 transcripts of spoken language and found that filled pauses (um, uh) seemed typical of all genders and generations. Discourse markers (I mean, you know, like) were more common in women, younger study partakers and "more conscientious people."
Results suggest that filler words can provide clues into someone's personality and social skills. "The possible explanation for this association is that conscientious people are generally more thoughtful and aware of themselves and their surroundings," study authors wrote, according to The Independent.
"When having conversations with listeners, conscientious people use discourse markers, such as 'I mean' and 'you know,' to imply their desire to share or rephrase opinions to recipients," the authors continued, according to The Independent. "Thus it is expected that the use of discourse markers may be used to measure the degree to which people have thoughts to express."
You know?
