# When did it become obligitory to begin all answers with "So"? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [April 4, 2014, 8:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-it-become-obligitory-to-begin-all-answers-with-so/685368 "2014-04-04T20:31:09Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![TonySinclair](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/49beb7/32.png) [@TonySinclair](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TonySinclair)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2014, 8:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-it-become-obligitory-to-begin-all-answers-with-so/685368/1 "2014-04-04T20:31:09Z")
I’m watching Charlie Rose’s show, which in my little town is delayed a day. He’s interviewing Michael Morell, the guy from the CIA who testified about Benghazi earlier this week. An abridged transcript of the actual first two questions: Rose: What was your job when you first heard about Benghazi? Morell: **So** I was number two at the CIA… Rose: And how did you hear about it? Morell:\*\* So\*\* I was in Amman, Jordan… And he’s apparently going to keep starting all his answers with “So.” What the hell is going on? I’ve been hearing this for a few years, from a few Silicon Vally types, but I thought it was just some kind of Valley-speak. But now it seems that it has taken over. First other scientists, and then pundits on every subject. Now even some actors on talk shows are doing it. It’s not quite annoying enough to put this in the Pit, but it’s annoying. And distracting. You would think that the most brilliant people in the country wouldn’t adopt some stupid, annoying fad like this. ---
**Author:** ![DSeid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dseid/32/20194_2.png) [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2014, 8:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-it-become-obligitory-to-begin-all-answers-with-so/685368/2 "2014-04-04T20:38:02Z")
Many people have placeholder sounds they use while they are formulating their words, “[filler words](http://grammar.about.com/od/fh/g/fillerterm.htm).” Given that a speaker is going to use a filler word, is “So” any worse than “Well”, “Hmmm”, “Like”, “Ahhh”, or “Uh”? ---
**Author:** ![Flywheel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/eb8c5e/32.png) [@Flywheel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Flywheel)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2014, 8:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-it-become-obligitory-to-begin-all-answers-with-so/685368/3 "2014-04-04T20:38:50Z")
[Language Log](http://languagelog.ldc.upenn.edu/nll/?p=2570) has some theories. ---
**Author:** ![chiroptera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/df705f/32.png) [@chiroptera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chiroptera)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2014, 8:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-it-become-obligitory-to-begin-all-answers-with-so/685368/4 "2014-04-04T20:46:27Z")
I listen to NPR at work and have [del]noticed[/del] been extremely irritated for years about the “so…” thing, to the point where I click off and simply refuse to listen further. It does seem very common with people under 40. ---
**Author:** ![FairyChatMom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fairychatmom/32/21906_2.png) [@FairyChatMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FairyChatMom)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2014, 9:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-it-become-obligitory-to-begin-all-answers-with-so/685368/5 "2014-04-04T21:13:50Z")
The only thing that irritates me more than this over-usage of “so” is starting an answer with “I mean” without having said anything yet that would need to be clarified. Make me crazy!!! ---
**Author:** ![Trinopus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/2bfe46/32.png) [@Trinopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trinopus)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2014, 9:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-it-become-obligitory-to-begin-all-answers-with-so/685368/6 "2014-04-04T21:17:21Z")
Well… ---
**Author:** ![Melchior](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e5b9ba/32.png) [@Melchior](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Melchior)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2014, 9:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-it-become-obligitory-to-begin-all-answers-with-so/685368/7 "2014-04-04T21:22:20Z")
Well, basically, it is because… [http://youtu.be/yqJ4vgQJzoQ](http://youtu.be/yqJ4vgQJzoQ) ---
**Author:** ![johnpost](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f17d59/32.png) [@johnpost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/johnpost)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2014, 9:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-it-become-obligitory-to-begin-all-answers-with-so/685368/8 "2014-04-04T21:25:23Z")
so don’t watch tv or listen to radio. ---
**Author:** ![Melchior](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e5b9ba/32.png) [@Melchior](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Melchior)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2014, 9:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-it-become-obligitory-to-begin-all-answers-with-so/685368/9 "2014-04-04T21:30:20Z")
> [@johnpost](#): > > so don’t watch tv or listen to radio. Yes, do something completely different… [http://youtu.be/Ug5ndrDArLg](http://youtu.be/Ug5ndrDArLg) ---
**Author:** ![not\_what\_you\_d\_expect](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/not_what_you_d_expect/32/3246_2.png) [@not\_what\_you\_d\_expect](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/not_what_you_d_expect)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2014, 9:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-it-become-obligitory-to-begin-all-answers-with-so/685368/10 "2014-04-04T21:35:08Z")
I’ve noticed that I do this myself now, especially when I start threads here. It doesn’t bother me to hear it though. ---
**Author:** ![Kent\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kent_clark/32/105_2.png) [@Kent\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kent_Clark)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2014, 9:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-it-become-obligitory-to-begin-all-answers-with-so/685368/11 "2014-04-04T21:53:04Z")
One of my fonder memories of high school was the time we decided to count all the times one of our teachers started sentences with “umm” in a single class. Even with an entire class trying, we couldn’t keep count. ---
**Author:** ![TonySinclair](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/49beb7/32.png) [@TonySinclair](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TonySinclair)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2014, 10:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-it-become-obligitory-to-begin-all-answers-with-so/685368/12 "2014-04-04T22:00:09Z")
> [@Flywheel](#): > > [Language Log](http://languagelog.ldc.upenn.edu/nll/?p=2570) has some theories. Great link, thank you. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2014, 11:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-it-become-obligitory-to-begin-all-answers-with-so/685368/13 "2014-04-04T23:22:16Z")
So, sue me! I think it (and “well” or “uhm”) serves the purpose of letting people know you are about to speak, and that way they don’t miss anything important. ---
**Author:** ![Octarine](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/22d042/32.png) [@Octarine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Octarine)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2014, 11:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-it-become-obligitory-to-begin-all-answers-with-so/685368/14 "2014-04-04T23:29:18Z")
I actually unconsciously use it a lot here, but not so much in verbal speech. I think it’s a way to “soften” what you’re about to say, kind of wade into the statement instead of jumping into the deep end. I also am constantly saying “I have a question . . .” which probably annoys people more. ---
**Author:** ![Melchior](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e5b9ba/32.png) [@Melchior](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Melchior)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2014, 1:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-it-become-obligitory-to-begin-all-answers-with-so/685368/15 "2014-04-05T01:07:22Z")
> [@kunilou](#): > > One of my fonder memories of high school was the time we decided to count all the times one of our teachers started sentences with “umm” in a single class. Even with an entire class trying, we couldn’t keep count. Two words: Thad Matta Ummmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm Ummmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm Ummmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm “in terms of…” Ummmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm Ummmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm ---
**Author:** ![FairyChatMom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fairychatmom/32/21906_2.png) [@FairyChatMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FairyChatMom)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2014, 11:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-it-become-obligitory-to-begin-all-answers-with-so/685368/16 "2014-04-05T11:14:31Z")
> [@kunilou](#): > > One of my fonder memories of high school was the time we decided to count all the times one of our teachers started sentences with “umm” in a single class. Even with an entire class trying, we couldn’t keep count. I had a training class for work some years back. The trainer was excessively fond of “basically” and “essentially” as verbal crutches. In a single 4-hour session, he used “basically” something like 150 times and “essentially” at least 50 times. I couldn’t pay attention to what he was saying because I was busy counting. I think his record was saying “basically” 4 times in a single sentence. I’m pretty sure I didn’t miss out by ignoring him - I had 13 years, including promotions and performance bonuses before I retired from there. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2014, 12:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-it-become-obligitory-to-begin-all-answers-with-so/685368/17 "2014-04-05T12:33:52Z")
When I hear “So . . . ,” it reminds my of a stand-up comic. Extremely annoying. And then there’s “Well, I mean . . .” or “Absolutely.” or “That’s a great question.” And I once worked for someone who said “obviously” all the time: “What font should I use for this?” “Obviously Helvetica.” ---
**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:** [April 5, 2014, 12:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-it-become-obligitory-to-begin-all-answers-with-so/685368/18 "2014-04-05T12:48:41Z")
Look, the thing is… ---
**Author:** ![bobot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bobot/32/21622_2.png) [@bobot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bobot)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2014, 2:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-it-become-obligitory-to-begin-all-answers-with-so/685368/19 "2014-04-05T14:26:25Z")
> [@TonySinclair](#): > > I’m watching Charlie Rose’s show, which in my little town is delayed a day. He’s interviewing Michael Morell, the guy from the CIA who testified about Benghazi earlier this week. An abridged transcript of the actual first two questions: > > Rose: What was your job when you first heard about Benghazi? > Morell: **So** I was number two at the CIA… > > Rose: And how did you hear about it? > Morell:\*\* So\*\* I was in Amman, Jordan… > > And he’s apparently going to keep starting all his answers with “So.” > > What the hell is going on? I’ve been hearing this for a few years, from a few Silicon Vally types, but I thought it was just some kind of Valley-speak. But now it seems that it has taken over. First other scientists, and then pundits on every subject. Now even some actors on talk shows are doing it. > > It’s not quite annoying enough to put this in the Pit, but it’s annoying. And distracting. You would think that the most brilliant people in the country wouldn’t adopt some stupid, annoying fad like this. I most ardently support this Pitting! What? no Pit? OK, I’m still in support. I’ve noticed this “So” trend myself recently. If I had to guess, I would say that the “So” meme is replacing the “I know, right?” meme. ---
**Author:** ![EmilyG](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/emilyg/32/364_2.png) [@EmilyG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EmilyG)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2014, 2:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-it-become-obligitory-to-begin-all-answers-with-so/685368/20 "2014-04-05T14:37:32Z")
It’s been noticed by listeners to a national science radio show here in Canada that many of the scientists being interviewed on the show begin their replies with “So.” [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-it-become-obligitory-to-begin-all-answers-with-so/685368.md?page=2)