He Was, Like, "I like you", Like, You Know?

"like"

Two common uses for the term bother me.

The first is "I like this person" in the sense that the speaker has feelings for a person extending beyond mere friendship or acquaintance-ness but not approaching the hallowed ground of "I love this person." It occupies a precarious middle position that causes all sorts of trouble for people trying to express what they feel because it's such a leap from friendship. Ever get embarassed when someone finds out you "like" them? It's because the escalation from normal feelings to "like" is so abrupt. We need more refined language to fill in the gap.

The other is "and then he was like, 'yeah, I'll help you'" where "like" is used as a substitute for another word indicating action on the subject's part. I catch myself saying it all the time, mainly when telling a story. It feels right using it when I'm trying to convey body language and in that sense, it's marginally acceptable. But it's everywhere in the vocabulary of people under the age of 30, replacing more vivid and engaging speech. And then there's the dreaded "Valley Girl" usage, where the word can replace whole statements and body language becomes the primary method of communication and the word litters speech with interjections.

"So he was like slouches! And I was like annoyed stare, because it was so rude, like get-with-it exasperation. He didn't, like, at all care about my feelings. Like totally! I like him - not like him like him - but not, like I'm in love with him. It's just like, resigned sigh."

It's a stereotype, I'm aware. But stop and listen to your friends, co-workers, and family one day and listen to them speak. "Like" has crept in far more than we know.

Posted by Drizzten at December 18, 2003 08:53 AM