So...what do you think?

If they said it on the Today show, then it must be true, right?  
A couple of weeks ago, they reported that the word "So...." is one of the over-used words in 2014.  Now, we're not talking about the use of "so" in a sentence like, "My dishes were so dirty, they were about to revolt and wash themselves."  Or even "I paid cash for the shoes so my husband wouldn't see the receipt" (this isn't necessarily true confession time, but what the heck?)

No, I'm talking about the use of the word at the beginning of a sentence, maybe even at the beginning of a speech or talk or lesson "So, today, we are going to talk about....".  While the use of "so" has been trending this year, that is not necessarily a good thing, especially if it becomes the thing we do.  Anne Curzan, a linguist professor at the University of Michigan, says we ought to be careful with our use of such a word as our audience may begin to pay attention more to the amount of times we say it versus the message we are really trying to convey (http://college.usatoday.com/2014/02/14/so-why-is-everyone-saying-so/).  Uh-oh!  Houston, we may have a problem.

Now that I am aware of it, I hear it all over the place, and that ummm....er....includes when I listen to myself!!

Not to mention these other over-used gems:

1. “At the end of the day” – What does that even mean? Does it mean later? Just leave it out!
2. “To be honest” – Why, are you normally not honest with me? What a crazy thing to say!
3. “If you know what I mean” – If I don’t know what you mean I would probably tell you. I don’t need a prompt.
4. “You know” – Is this a question or a statement?
5. “Having said that” – Yes, you have just said that. I was here, you have been speaking to me and I don’t need you to tell me that you have just said something to me!
6. “Like” – This is especially annoying if it is inserted a number of times into every single sentence. Why, oh, why?
7. “Literally” – Should mean ‘figuratively’ or exactly as you say. It makes so sense to ‘literally explode’ or to ‘literally die’.
8. “I am just saying’” – Yes, I have heard it. Should this make me feel better about the fact that you have just offended me or said something that didn’t make sense?
9. “Seriously” – Are you saying that you are telling me the truth or are you using it as a replacement for ‘yeah’ – I am, like, seriously confused!
10. "I mean" – Some people litter this phrase into every single sentence they say. It must be one of the most meaningless phrases of all.

https://www.linkedin.com/today/post/article/20130909060308-64875646-stop-don-t-use-these-words-they-re-so-irritating

I think the caution is that we tend to be using these words or phrases as pauses or natural breaths.  Why not just take the time to breathe and pause, instead?  
As a dear friend, Michelle, always says, "Everyone has a 'thing' they do or say." I think the trick is to be sure your thing isn't the most annoying one of the bunch.  

So....(see, it's right there, all the time, ready to rear its ugly head)...what is your thing? 

Just for today, perhaps we can recognize one of our bad communicating habits and maybe not put it completely to rest but at least tone it down a bit.  I'm just sayin.....

Happy Communicating!!