This Is “Like” A Problem

Yesterday, sitting in class, I was privy to an event which almost caused me to stand on my chair and applaud. The guy sitting next to me managed to get through an entire two sentences without once using the word “like.” Shockingly enough, he was the first from a class of informed, eloquent students to be able to do so.

This verbal tic is particularly specific to America. I remember coming here from England and being stunned by the way in which my far more articulate and educated contemporaries peppered their statements with this pointless word. Despite my best efforts to avoid this affliction, I discovered that “like” is completely contagious. While at home over winter break I mentioned that I was “like” so excited to be back in England. My father, always a stickler for pure language pulled the car over and asked if I wanted to get back on the plane.

It seems particularly unusual that this habit should be so prevalent at Harvard—a place where the majority of students are able to offer rational and valuable views on any topic raised in discussion. They have the education, the resources and the level of instruction necessary to transform their ideas into winning arguments. All that is required is that they deliver them in an eloquent and clear manner. Yet so often this manner is sacrificed to “umms,” “errs,” and of course, the ubiquitous “like.”

Perhaps it is a lack of confidence that accounts for the excessive hesitations and interspersions that mar otherwise fluent speech. While many students are exceptionally gifted at expressing themselves in writing and have the ability to think of convincing arguments, they stumble when it comes to verbalizing them. Understandably, it can be daunting to speak out in section. After embarking with what seems to be a good point, blank incomprehension or condescension on the faces of classmates can lead to rambling diversions and oral absurdities.

For the many suffering, there is hope in sight. It is rare that one sees speakers over the age of 30 fall into the same trap. Even seniors seem to be comparatively immune—presumably because long years of experience have taught then that TFs really aren’t all that frightening. With maturity comes confidence and with confidence the knack of knowing how to phrase one’s argument in a concise and clear fashion. Given time, the “likes” should fall away altogether.

Be warned, however. For those of you trying to leave this idiosyncrasy behind you, things may get worse before they get better. The habit may develop as a result of self-consciousness and turning this same self-awareness upon it only worsens the problem. Following the general derision of my English friends I made my own concerted effort. The result was “like” pretty disastrous.

Yet with the summer and job interviews looming ever nearer, I am determined. My strategy involves putting away five cents with every “like” until my struggling bank account succeeds where all else has failed. Soon, the only entrance of the “l-word” into my vocabulary will come with those much sought after words, “Yes I would like to work for you.”