Y'know...

[Michael Wallace]

So, when did people start saying 'y'know' all the time whilst they speak? I'm pretty certain it's not always been like this, but now it seems almost ubiquitous. Hopefully at least some of you know what I'm talking about - people who throw 'y'know' into sentences whereas before they might've just said 'er'. It's not just me suddenly noticing this, right?

Or has this been thoroughly documented somewhere already, and I've just missed it?

[Ralph Gillions]

Some people suggest this sort of thing is a delaying tactic to give the speaker time to think.
I doubt that.
I think it is a habit.
Others would be "reallyreally", "basically", "right?"
I find the more widely they are used the more annoying they become.

[Jon Corby]

D-Becks used to be shocking for this, but is now a lot more accomplished at public speaking. My bird always adds "do you know what I mean?" to the end of utterly unambiguous sentences, which annoys me no end.

[Derek Hazell]

See Patsy Kensit's 5 March 2005 interview with Michael Parkinson.

[Phil Reynolds]

It's not just me suddenly noticing this, right?

I rather think it is. I've been aware of it since the 1960s, and I don't think it was new then.

My pet hates include the utterly unnecessary use of the phrase "on a regular basis" to mean "regularly", and people who prefix every other sentence with "I'm not being funny" when the likelihood of them saying something amusing is so remote as to be rendered invisible by the curvature of the earth.

[Jon Corby]

and people who prefix every other sentence with "I'm not being funny"

Ooh yeah my missus does that one too

[Michael Wallace]

It's not just me suddenly noticing this, right?

I rather think it is. I've been aware of it since the 1960s, and I don't think it was new then.

Hmm ok. Both I and the other half have only really noticed this in the last couple of years (I suppose it might just be that I haven't been exposed to enough commoners, or something).

[Jon Corby]

Hmm ok. Both I and the other half have only really noticed this in the last couple of years (I suppose it might just be that I haven't been exposed to enough commoners, or something).

Maybe. Phil regularly exposes himself to commoners, so I believe.

[Phil Reynolds]

Phil regularly exposes himself to commoners, so I believe.

How very dare you. I haven't been on the common for ages.

[Kevin Thurlow]

Phil is right - it goes back a long time. I recall a BBC interviewer, wearing a suit and speaking in a plummy accent, talking to a young person, who said "y'know" or "y'know what I mean" at least once a (short) sentence. The BBC man even said "yes" a couple of times.

It predates "At the end of the day" etc. If you want modern crap sayings, try, "We have been working very hard", "there are clear procedures in place", "unfortunately, there is no CCTV footage of the incident."

Kevin

[Dinos Sfyris]

If you want modern crap sayings, try, "We have been working very hard", "there are clear procedures in place", "unfortunately, there is no CCTV footage of the incident."

Kevin

You forgot "We are investigating the matter"

[Les Butterworth]

An ex MD who I worked for had the annoying habit of starting his replies to you with "IN ACTUAL FACT".
You knew he was going to disagree with you and no one would ever come back with the correct "ACTUALLY".
Though if he was actually listening to you and if he actually took any notice of your opinion was actually doubtful.

[Peter Mabey]

Phil is right - it goes back a long time. ...
The BBC man even said "yes" a couple of times.

Nowadays he'd have said "absolutely"