# NPR trivialities **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [December 12, 2020, 7:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/npr-trivialities/927918 "2020-12-12T19:27:32Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 6
**Author:** ![lissener](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lissener/32/6139_2.png) [@lissener](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lissener)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2020, 7:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/npr-trivialities/927918/101 "2020-12-17T19:33:43Z")
Yes. Er and Erm are spelled Uh and Um by Americans. ---
**Author:** ![drad\_dog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/aeb1de/32.png) [@drad\_dog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drad_dog)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2020, 7:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/npr-trivialities/927918/102 "2020-12-17T19:34:29Z")
> [@lissener](#): > > “uh,” “well,” “sure,” “right,” or “that’s a great question,” I think I have heard the following said by experts on NPR a lot: “Yeah. right. That’s a great question. So…” and then a technical explanation. IOW “So” is a useful english word to transition to the actual explanation, after you have said your interjections. ---
**Author:** ![drad\_dog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/aeb1de/32.png) [@drad\_dog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drad_dog)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2020, 7:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/npr-trivialities/927918/103 "2020-12-17T19:43:37Z")
“So…” is not a tic if it has a usage, meaning and logic beyond stalling for time, and its use reflects that. It does. ---
**Author:** ![gdave](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gdave/32/3683_2.png) [@gdave](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gdave)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2020, 7:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/npr-trivialities/927918/104 "2020-12-17T19:48:14Z")
Wait. First you contended that “experts” _don’t_ use filler words. Now you’re contending that they _do_ use filler words, and in fact use multiple filler words and phrases in a row, but the _fourth_ one they use is _different_, and that one, and only that one, acts as a signifier of expertise and careful and considerate thought and research. Except when it’s used by non-experts, in which case it’s used as a deception. And, _no one else in this thread understands or is aware of those meanings._ It’s _possible_, of course, that this usage of “So” is widely understood, and this thread is a bizarre statistical outlier, and somehow we’ve gotten only one of the majority of the population that share this understanding in the thread, and _everyone_ else in this thread is part of the minority that doesn’t. But is it at least _possible_ that _you’re_ wrong? If _everyone_ else disagrees with you on the meaning of a word, that word _doesn’t have that meaning_. Now, participants in this thread aren’t _everyone_, of course. But can you point to _anyone_ else that agrees with your understanding of the usage of the word “So”? ---
**Author:** ![drad\_dog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/aeb1de/32.png) [@drad\_dog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drad_dog)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2020, 7:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/npr-trivialities/927918/105 "2020-12-17T19:54:13Z")
> [@gdave](#): > > First you contended that “experts” _don’t_ use filler words. Now you’re contending that they _do_ use filler words, and in fact use multiple filler words and phrases in a row, but the _fourth_ one they use is _different_ , and that one, and only that one, acts as a signifier of expertise and careful and considerate thought and research. What? Good lord. Stop. Experts say socially interactive stuff too. Everyone here describes it as stalling. But to give an explanation of a technical reality these days, they usually launch into it by saying “So…” That’s what I’m hearing on earth one. Where you at? ---
**Author:** ![drad\_dog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/aeb1de/32.png) [@drad\_dog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drad_dog)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2020, 7:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/npr-trivialities/927918/106 "2020-12-17T19:55:41Z")
> [@gdave](#): > > Except when it’s used by non-experts, in which case it’s used as a deception. > > And, _no one else in this thread understands or is aware of those meanings._ Huh?!?! Nobody understands the way you don’t understand me? Got it ---
**Author:** ![drad\_dog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/aeb1de/32.png) [@drad\_dog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drad_dog)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2020, 7:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/npr-trivialities/927918/107 "2020-12-17T19:58:11Z")
> [@gdave](#): > > It’s _possible_ , of course, that this usage of “So” is widely understood, and this thread is a bizarre statistical outlier, and somehow we’ve gotten only one of the majority of the population that share this understanding in the thread, and _everyone_ else in this thread is part of the minority that doesn’t. But is it at least _possible_ that _you’re_ wrong? > > If _everyone_ else disagrees with you on the meaning of a word, that word _doesn’t have that meaning_ . Now, participants in this thread aren’t _everyone_ , of course. But can you point to _anyone_ else that agrees with your understanding of the usage of the word “So”? You lost me. I’m not kidding. What is the elusive meaning of the word I’m suppposed to have understood from you or the other posters? And didn’t? That it means “Um…”? it doesn’t. It means “So…” ---
**Author:** ![gdave](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gdave/32/3683_2.png) [@gdave](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gdave)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2020, 8:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/npr-trivialities/927918/108 "2020-12-17T20:35:02Z")
So, I _definitely_ can’t argue with all of _that_. ---
**Author:** ![drad\_dog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/aeb1de/32.png) [@drad\_dog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drad_dog)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2020, 9:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/npr-trivialities/927918/109 "2020-12-17T21:15:11Z")
[![](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/2E1QdvCC0Eg/hqdefault.jpg "James Dean-Rebel Without a Cause: Inspriational Performance") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2E1QdvCC0Eg) 40 seconds ---
**Author:** ![lissener](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lissener/32/6139_2.png) [@lissener](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lissener)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2020, 9:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/npr-trivialities/927918/110 "2020-12-17T21:51:17Z")
> [@Laurel and Hardy Never Fails to Disappoint](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/laurel-and-hardy-never-fails-to-disappoint/928196): > > So Laurel and Hardy are TCM’s Binary Star of the Month, and I’ve recorded a few of their shorts. I’ve watched The Laurel-Hardy Murder Case, Another Fine Mess, and The Battle of the Century. And all I got was a snicker or two. I dunno, Laurel and Hardy just don’t do it for me. Yeah, they do some cute dance moves sometimes, and there’s some inventive slapstick. They had some Pre-Code dialogue that had some double entendre stuff that raises my eyebrow now and then. But they’re just so damn sl… ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2020, 11:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/npr-trivialities/927918/111 "2020-12-18T11:06:11Z")
> [@lissener](#): > > This is so irrational that I’m going to back away from this hill you’ve chosen to die on, and leave you to it. Peace. Yeppers ---
**Author:** ![lissener](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lissener/32/6139_2.png) [@lissener](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lissener)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2020, 6:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/npr-trivialities/927918/112 "2020-12-18T18:06:30Z")
So anyway Does anyone else play that game with themselves, identifying the reporter’s final syllable before the throw? ---
**Author:** ![drad\_dog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/aeb1de/32.png) [@drad\_dog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drad_dog)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2020, 7:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/npr-trivialities/927918/113 "2020-12-18T19:30:40Z")
Yes because “noticing speech patterns” on the air is an impossible and absurd thing to do. And I shouldn’t be doing it. It’s CRAZEEEE! Who knows what could happen next! ---
**Author:** ![lissener](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lissener/32/6139_2.png) [@lissener](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lissener)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2020, 7:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/npr-trivialities/927918/114 "2020-12-18T19:36:35Z")
Your responses are all either straw men (like the above dishonest reply) or deliberately shifted goal posts. Not one of your replies honestly engages with the comments you appear to think you’re responding too. Is this because you’ve invested so much in this absurd fumble, or is that the way you always argue a point? ---
**Author:** ![drad\_dog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/aeb1de/32.png) [@drad\_dog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drad_dog)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2020, 7:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/npr-trivialities/927918/115 "2020-12-18T19:45:22Z")
Cite on straw man dude. Good lord. OK you don’t want to recognize my point that I heard patterns of speech over time. For you it is unacceptable or something. What on earth is **your** point so I can follow? (About this topic that you have posted on many many times to respond to me.) Are you responding in any way to any topic at all besides the ad hominem that an anonymous poster is “doing crazy talk” and upsetting you or whatever. I have never heard so much name calling over nothing. And you dare to call me a strawman? Whats your eventual point about this topic, in which you are deeply invested with me, it if there really is one? (About the words you care so much about. If you care, and if there is a point) ---
**Author:** ![drad\_dog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/aeb1de/32.png) [@drad\_dog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drad_dog)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2020, 7:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/npr-trivialities/927918/116 "2020-12-18T19:47:01Z")
> [@lissener](#): > > Not one of your replies honestly engages with the comments you appear to think you’re responding too. Meet kettle. ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2020, 9:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/npr-trivialities/927918/117 "2020-12-18T21:40:34Z")
**Modnote** : @lissener & @drad_dog time to drop this argument or take your disagreement to the pit. Let this thread get back to the previous programming. _This is just a guidance, not a warning. Nothing on your permanent record._ ---
**Author:** ![lissener](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lissener/32/6139_2.png) [@lissener](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lissener)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2020, 10:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/npr-trivialities/927918/118 "2020-12-18T22:55:50Z")
So anyway Does anyone else play that game with themselves, identifying the reporter’s final syllable before the throw? ---
**Author:** ![JRDelirious](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jrdelirious/32/9531_2.png) [@JRDelirious](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JRDelirious)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2020, 1:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/npr-trivialities/927918/119 "2020-12-19T01:10:33Z")
Ana Gasteyer, of the SNL “Delicious Dish” sketches (notorious for the “Schweddy Balls”) once explained on NPR’s own _Wait, Wait, Don’t Tell Me_ that the key to the old-school “Public Radio personality” sound is to sound like someone who knows you don’t need to worry about ever being interrupted, so you can “explore a subject to the point that people want to weep with boredom.” [Clip and transcript.](https://www.npr.org/2012/03/24/149271972/actress-ana-gasteyer-plays-not-my-job). ---
**Author:** ![digs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/digs/32/14889_2.png) [@digs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/digs)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2020, 4:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/npr-trivialities/927918/120 "2020-12-19T16:26:28Z")
never mind (posted a theory that wrapped up the “So” controversy for all time … then I saw the mod note). [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/npr-trivialities/927918.md?page=5) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/npr-trivialities/927918.md?page=7)