The phenomenon of the teen girl’s “like” is one unique to a very small group of people. The teen girl. In more recent decades, the short and sweet phrase of “like” has become extremely popular amongst teens but the majority, teen girls. Popularized in “teen” movies and media, the word or phrase “like” became popular in the 80s, from Frank Zappa’s song “Valley Girl”. It was used to mock (teen) Valley girls in the song but, as its use spread wider into American culture, the “like” is now a very commonplace phrase used as a “filler word”.
Filler words have their own war against English and that’s not what we’re here to talk about but, because of its popularity and main user demographic, the phrase is now seen as a sign of incompetence or a diminutive vocabulary. Now, I won’t argue that frequently using filler words isn’t an issue that individuals could want to address if it consistently affects their lives. However, I’m of the belief that the “like” as a filler word is superior to an “um” or “ugh”.
I’m of the belief that the “like” isn’t just a filler word but, a sign of comfortability. If someone feels comfortable enough around you to give their mind time to articulate their thoughts properly, why judge them for what they choose to do with that time? In teenage culture, everything’s fast-paced. When speaking, if you lose someone’s attention it’s extremely hard to get it back. And the “like” is a good way not to seem “boring” or even worse, be a slow talker.
By teens especially, the “like” isn’t used in important or formal situations. We use it in low-stakes positions where it can continue conversation flowing freely. Because of the persecution of women and young people, I think that the “like” is put under an extensively harsh lens of hate on both of those intersecting communities. Especially because the “like” is used in a very versatile manner.
Used to:
- Signal quotations – “And she was like, oh my god no he didn’t!”
- Show emotion – “And she like lost it.”
- Or as a filler word – “What is that like even about?”
If we start looking into the culture surrounding teenage girls, and how our society persecutes them (us) for every little thing, you’ll see that in the disdain around the word “like”, there’s an unnecessary level of hate around its use. Filler words may be an “evergrowing” problem within the English-speaking community but, they’re not all bad, and when used properly should be regarded as a feat of casual conversational English.