SOME LIKE IT NOT!

The word ‘like’ used to be a connective & an affectionate word.

A word used as a preposition or a weak synonym of ‘love’.

It appears that ‘LIKE’ has taken on a life of its own.

It has conquered vocabulary frequency and taken first prize. Some persons can’t emit more than 3 words without inappropriately and ungrammatically saying ‘LIKE’ !

Communicating with ‘LIKE’ users fills me with grief. Such speakers sound diffident, hesitant, or ignorant, perhaps all 3 characteristics combined. It is a pity that their vocabulary is so colorless, so limited, so redundant, and infantile. I feel bad these speakers are verbally stunted, but must speak, anyway…

Are users of ‘LIKE’ at a dire loss for words? Are synonyms an extinct species?

Why speak in ‘analogies’?

It appears to me that there is yet an underlying cause, of social and psychological etiology – a virtual lifestyle of living on the screen! What was once ‘real’ has become ‘unreal’. People have shed surrounding reality and replaced it with ’like’ – a reality alternative.

Their life may seem ‘alike’ but is truly less likable, as many are existing passively and relying on other people’s approval.

Extensive overuse of the word ‘LIKE’ is devoid of volition and content, as its speakers are simply mimicking word format heard, and inserting this word as a meaningless filler.

How do we overcome this unwelcome intrusion? Easy! You can find the answers in  part 2 of this article “REPLACING ’VIRTUAL’ LIKE ” (or GIVE ME BACK ‘REALLY’).