# Can children in California be taught to avoid saying "Like", "He's All", "AndI'mAllLike" ? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [October 29, 2014, 5:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-children-in-california-be-taught-to-avoid-saying-like-hes-all-andimalllike/702923 "2014-10-29T17:46:59Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Hooleehootoo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/eada6e/32.png) [@Hooleehootoo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hooleehootoo)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2014, 5:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-children-in-california-be-taught-to-avoid-saying-like-hes-all-andimalllike/702923/1 "2014-10-29T17:46:59Z")
I have a kindergartner in So. Cal. He is starting to use the slang, "He’s Like…"[Like this…](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Like#Valley_speak_and_beatniks) If I knew someone who was an eccentric English expatriate who tried to send children to school in Southern California and insisted that they try to imitate his accent, I would try to dissuade him. Even though children will spend a lot of time in your home and you have a lot of influence over them, the wider linguistic, cultural sea they are swimming in is too big for this kind of pipe dream to work. I dislike the over frequent use of “He’s all”, “I’m going”, etc. Is the effort to try and stop this way of talking Quixotic, or misguided? Anyone else try it? How about cursing? The rate and acceptance of cursing seems increasing. ---
**Author:** ![babygoat666](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/2acd7d/32.png) [@babygoat666](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/babygoat666)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2014, 5:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-children-in-california-be-taught-to-avoid-saying-like-hes-all-andimalllike/702923/2 "2014-10-29T17:48:51Z")
I believe they can. ---
**Author:** ![Drunky\_Smurf](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/drunky_smurf/32/449_2.png) [@Drunky\_Smurf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Drunky_Smurf)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2014, 5:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-children-in-california-be-taught-to-avoid-saying-like-hes-all-andimalllike/702923/3 "2014-10-29T17:52:58Z")
As a long time Cali resident I can answer this. Dude, like totally, no. For reals, bro. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2014, 5:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-children-in-california-be-taught-to-avoid-saying-like-hes-all-andimalllike/702923/4 "2014-10-29T17:55:12Z")
**Can children in California be taught to avoid saying “Like”, “He’s All”, “AndI’mAllLike” ?** Dude… As _if!_ > [@Drunky\_Smurf](#): > > As a long time Cali resident… I’m guessing not a native? 😉 ---
**Author:** ![dstarfire](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dstarfire/32/5762_2.png) [@dstarfire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dstarfire)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2014, 6:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-children-in-california-be-taught-to-avoid-saying-like-hes-all-andimalllike/702923/5 "2014-10-29T18:00:23Z")
The same way you teach any other behavior; apply immediate correction every time. With word usage, simply interrupt them each time by repeating the offending phrase. However, you need to provide a viable alternative word. I’m not aware of a short word or phrase that means “s/he said something similar to, implied that, or was heard as …” which is the role commonly filled by “she’s all …” and “he’s like …”. Also, it’s not just kids, I’ve heard that same language and usage from standup comics and other non-fictional (i.e. playing a character/role) but non-news people. ---
**Author:** ![njtt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/ecd19e/32.png) [@njtt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/njtt)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2014, 6:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-children-in-california-be-taught-to-avoid-saying-like-hes-all-andimalllike/702923/6 "2014-10-29T18:20:48Z")
> [@Hooleehootoo](#): > > I have a kindergartner in So. Cal. He is starting to use the slang, "He’s Like…"[Like this…](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Like#Valley_speak_and_beatniks) Those damned beatniks! :mad: ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2014, 6:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-children-in-california-be-taught-to-avoid-saying-like-hes-all-andimalllike/702923/7 "2014-10-29T18:22:33Z")
I guess you could fit them with a V-chip, like the one Cartman had in the _South Park_ movie, but programmed to trigger with lazy syntax. ---
**Author:** ![Dung\_Beetle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dung_beetle/32/7945_2.png) [@Dung\_Beetle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dung_Beetle)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2014, 6:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-children-in-california-be-taught-to-avoid-saying-like-hes-all-andimalllike/702923/8 "2014-10-29T18:28:49Z")
> [@Drunky\_Smurf](#): > > As a long time Cali resident I can answer this. Dude, like totally, no. For reals, bro. I _know_! I’m so, “whatever!” ---
**Author:** ![cochrane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cochrane/32/10441_2.png) [@cochrane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cochrane)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2014, 6:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-children-in-california-be-taught-to-avoid-saying-like-hes-all-andimalllike/702923/9 "2014-10-29T18:31:50Z")
Fer shure!!! ---
**Author:** ![ALOHA\_HATER](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/76d3ee/32.png) [@ALOHA\_HATER](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ALOHA_HATER)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2014, 6:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-children-in-california-be-taught-to-avoid-saying-like-hes-all-andimalllike/702923/10 "2014-10-29T18:35:19Z")
> [@dstarfire](#): > > The same way you teach any other behavior; apply immediate correction every time. With word usage, simply interrupt them each time by repeating the offending phrase. OP, imagine a parent doing this. Go through the scenario in your head. Does this parent look seem like a dick? Yes, of course he does, and the kid will see this for what it is: arbitrary rule-making, “correcting” a behavior that’s not incorrect. Do you want your kid to talk smart or be smart? Inspire curiosity about the world instead of enforcing “proper” speech. ---
**Author:** ![F.Pu-du-he-pa-as](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/c89c15/32.png) [@F.Pu-du-he-pa-as](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/F.Pu-du-he-pa-as)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2014, 7:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-children-in-california-be-taught-to-avoid-saying-like-hes-all-andimalllike/702923/11 "2014-10-29T19:08:02Z")
Why would you want to? Every language has variation, based on everything from region to socioeconomic status to formality. Most people can use several different speech registers depending on the group of people they’re talking to. Why would you want to stop your kid from learning the language variety of his peers? ---
**Author:** ![Motorgirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e36b37/32.png) [@Motorgirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Motorgirl)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2014, 7:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-children-in-california-be-taught-to-avoid-saying-like-hes-all-andimalllike/702923/12 "2014-10-29T19:09:15Z")
It’s really not limited to California. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Second\_Stone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/bbe5ce/32.png) [@The\_Second\_Stone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Second_Stone)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2014, 7:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-children-in-california-be-taught-to-avoid-saying-like-hes-all-andimalllike/702923/13 "2014-10-29T19:20:52Z")
“Check this out” is my latest pet peeve catch phrase. It seems to mean “I’m about to spout some bullshit and you should stand back in awe.” “Gotcha”. You are talking and I’m pretending to follow what you are saying. ---
**Author:** ![SaharaTea](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e9a140/32.png) [@SaharaTea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SaharaTea)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2014, 7:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-children-in-california-be-taught-to-avoid-saying-like-hes-all-andimalllike/702923/14 "2014-10-29T19:22:08Z")
What **Motorgirl** said. It’s not limited to California and it’s not just kids. I’m 36 and practically everyone my age still uses those phrases - maybe not in job interviews or formal situations, but certainly in casual conversation. ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2014, 7:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-children-in-california-be-taught-to-avoid-saying-like-hes-all-andimalllike/702923/15 "2014-10-29T19:36:18Z")
You could try relocating to the Deep South. That’ll stop him from learning California-isms, but it might produce other side effects. ---
**Author:** ![TheSeaOtter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ed655f/32.png) [@TheSeaOtter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TheSeaOtter)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2014, 7:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-children-in-california-be-taught-to-avoid-saying-like-hes-all-andimalllike/702923/16 "2014-10-29T19:39:02Z")
> [@SaharaTea](#): > > What **Motorgirl** said. It’s not limited to California and it’s not just kids. I’m 36 and practically everyone my age still uses those phrases - maybe not in job interviews or formal situations, but certainly in casual conversation. It’s, like, ubiquitous, man. ---
**Author:** ![Inigo\_Montoya](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/inigo_montoya/32/124_2.png) [@Inigo\_Montoya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inigo_Montoya)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2014, 7:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-children-in-california-be-taught-to-avoid-saying-like-hes-all-andimalllike/702923/17 "2014-10-29T19:45:32Z")
> [@The\_Second\_Stone](#): > > “Check this out” is my latest pet peeve catch phrase. It seems to mean “I’m about to spout some bullshit and you should stand back in awe.” I prefer the abbreviated, but equivalent: “So, get this…” ---
**Author:** ![Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skald_the_Rhymer)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2014, 7:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-children-in-california-be-taught-to-avoid-saying-like-hes-all-andimalllike/702923/18 "2014-10-29T19:49:03Z")
> [@Hooleehootoo](#): > > I have a kindergartner in So. Cal. He is starting to use the slang, "He’s Like…"[Like this…](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Like#Valley_speak_and_beatniks) > > If I knew someone who was an eccentric English expatriate who tried to send children to school in Southern California and insisted that they try to imitate his accent, I would try to dissuade him. Even though children will spend a lot of time in your home and you have a lot of influence over them, the wider linguistic, cultural sea they are swimming in is too big for this kind of pipe dream to work. > > I dislike the over frequent use of “He’s all”, “I’m going”, etc. Is the effort to try and stop this way of talking Quixotic, or misguided? Anyone else try it? How about cursing? The rate and acceptance of cursing seems increasing. I think you’re misguided. The kids are just speaking in the vernacular. They need to be able to communicate with their peers as well as in “proper” English. It’s not hard or even uncommon for people to speak slangily as well as “properly.” ---
**Author:** ![Drunky\_Smurf](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/drunky_smurf/32/449_2.png) [@Drunky\_Smurf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Drunky_Smurf)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2014, 7:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-children-in-california-be-taught-to-avoid-saying-like-hes-all-andimalllike/702923/19 "2014-10-29T19:54:04Z")
> [@Johnny\_L.A](#): > > **Can children in California be taught to avoid saying “Like”, “He’s All”, “AndI’mAllLike” ?** > > Dude… As _if!_ > > I’m guessing not a native? 😉 Totes native\*, my homey. \*born, then move, then move, then move, now back. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2014, 8:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-children-in-california-be-taught-to-avoid-saying-like-hes-all-andimalllike/702923/20 "2014-10-29T20:08:09Z")
NorCal? [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-children-in-california-be-taught-to-avoid-saying-like-hes-all-andimalllike/702923.md?page=2)