Filler words are a staple of, like, informal and, you know, casual speech. Filler words are seen as a sign of a lack of understanding; however, they can allow for deeper thoughts and more familiar conversations.
The most common filler words, especially among younger generations, are “like” and “um”. However, there are many other words and phrases that are used to fill empty space:
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Filler Words |
Filler Phrases |
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Filler words have two distinct purposes: to allow for more time to think of what to say next and to make conversation less forward and more carefree. It can be hard to distinguish between the two, so, many misidentify someone buying valuable thinking time as being overly casual and disrespectful.
Ms. Wedge, speech and English teacher, said, “I try to correct students not to use them in my class whether they’re talking with friends or to me. I try to teach them to put their best self forward. Because when you’re responding to a college professor, your verbal presentation speaks well of your intellect, education, and presentation of self.”
Only 3 out of 25 Leesville students asked don’t use filler words. One anonymous student responded, “Um I don’t think I use filler words.”
Ian Sharp, sophomore, who supposedly doesn’t use filler words, said, “They’re (people who use filler words) not comfortable in pauses or silences, so they resort to using filler words to fill the space and the uncomfortable silence.”
Other students who use filler words had different reasons for using them. Parker Booth, sophomore, said, “Sometimes I can’t organize all my thoughts quickly enough, and I have to think about it so my ideas make sense.”
Stacy Wang, senior, said, “To fill in the gaps when I’m trying to think of something, when I’m still processing, to make sure people know that I’m still talking, and to make like references to something the people I’m talking to understand.”
Filler words have become so common that most people use them subconsciously.
Ally Ply, senior, said, “Yes, unfortunately, I do use them (filler words). It’s mostly subconscious, but I wish that I didn’t, and when I notice it I try to stop myself, but it doesn’t always work.”
However, filler words are not inherently bad, they are just a tool that people have ingrained in their vocabulary due to their ease of use. Wedge said, “Just because people use filler words that does not mean they’re dumb and not well educated, they just picked up bad habits.”
When interrupted, people often lose their train of thought, and filler words are frequently used to hold their turn in conversation. So, unless we all start carrying around big red lights that indicate we’re still speaking, filler words are the easiest way to stop interruption.
They are a great way to buy time in order to produce productive analytical thoughts that effectively move a conversation forward, at the small cost of sounding slightly more informal.
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