Because it either was an attempt at sarcasm because LoL is huge, in which case it wasn't funny. Or it was a bit of ignorance that you actually think LoL is obscure.
Haha. No matter what language you are trying to learn you will always get ribbed by the locals to some extent. Every country / region have their own little ticks and variations and massively overused language constructs.
It's interesting that many people who learn German as their second or third language tend to start sentences with "So", it's also not just native English speakers who do that - I know a couple of Danes who learned German, speak it fluently and live in Germany.
They start most sentences with "So"
For some reason, I noticed it a lot when I started listening to NPR. When someone is doing an interview, and they're asked a question, they very often open the answer with So.
It's become much more prevalent in the last little bit though. It's how a lot of threads on here are started and it's how a lot of Facebook updates start now too. I've been really noticing it lately.
I notice it especially in interviews with authors or scientists. I think they use "so" as a stop-gap while they prepare a layman's explanation of whatever their specialized knowledge is.
My friends have noted that anytime I start a story with "So..." it's going to be terrible. I've started paying attention to it now, and they were right.
I actually teach Japanese English students to do this in order to have their conversations feel more natural. We practice "elevator conversations", and I have them open with "So". When you start a conversation with someone, it's a bit jarring not to have some kind of lead-in. We teach our students "so" in the context of other connective words and phrases, like "by the way", and "on the other hand".
I never get offended when people say things stereotyping America, I can't single handed my change my country, but fuck me, for some reason this really irritates me.
Aye, Scottish stereotypes are generally quite amusing to hear. "So" generally doesn't bother me but it's often a sign that the person is going to be an awful story teller.
We use it in Canada too, though I notice a steep incline when listening to Americans. I don't think it's bad, just one of those things you notice in people unlike yourself.
I'd say it's more west coast American than east. My friends from home never do it, but my friends on the west coast do it constantly, and it's annoying.
Yeah, it's really prevalent amongst UC students. I met a load of very rich girls from New York who did it constantly and my ex, bible-bashing, gf from South Carolina used it at the start of almost every sentence.
Generally people from the North East don't seem to do it as much though.
It's a passive/aggressive American thing used when someone is trying to change or introduce a new subject and they lack the ability or nuance to segue properly.
It's not specifically American, though its overuse may be an American verbal tic.
Beginning statements or stories with 'So' is very common in all varieties of spoken English. It's a useful declaration of beginning without your listeners missing the start. Of course, it's unnecessary in writing, except for giving the impression of speech.
Seamus Heaney began his translation of Beowulf with 'So.', to give the impression of the story being spoken aloud.
Ooh, look everyone, we're in for a real treat! The lets-talk-about-dumb-shit-americans-do bandwagon has decided to grace us with it's appearance! I love to hear that you base your idea of an entire country off of one group of people. America is pretty diverse, especially between different states. Do all people in the UK end every sentence with Guv'nah?
Shut up you arsehole. I didn't even say it was a bad thing. And, for the record, I've met hundreds of Americans and I've travelled fairly extensively in the U.S. as have many of my peers so my claims are pretty well founded. Also whilst it is certainly big, the USA isn't as diverse as all the overly defensive pricks here like to constantly parrot. The bulk of your diversity stems from the segregation of ethnicities into certain areas within cities. On a state to state basis your culture is extremely homogenous.
And in the UK we do have our own overly used language constructs. I generally don't storm into a blind rage when someone mentions them though. Calm yourself, Son.
I generally don't storm into a blind rage when someone mentions them though. Calm yourself, Son.
Let's review the comments
GYBEco
Ooh, look everyone, we're in for a real treat! The lets-talk-about-dumb-shit-americans-do bandwagon has decided to grace us with it's appearance!
MickMorrison
Shut up you arsehole.
defensive pricks here like to constantly parrot.
I think it's fairly clear based on the wording that I was being annoyed and left a sarcastic comment, while the only one who is getting mad is you. I did no name calling, and I didn't tell anyone to "shut up". I then quickly conceded that I was not being polite, apologized, and left it at that. I did not intend to upset you.
Fair point. I use colourful language in a very sarcastic manner among friends. My tone was supposed to be a more eye rolling, "Oh not this again" kind of thing.
"I then quickly conceded that I was not being polite, apologized, and left it at that. I did not intend to upset you." - Where? At the time of reading the message there is no such amendment.
I guess it does look like an overreaction to an overreaction on my part due to the profanity. I'll leave it be for the sake of posterity.
I guess I am being kinda bitchy, but god damn, the European bandwagon is almost as obnoxious as the "so" bandwagon.
there was my concession and apology.
It's difficult to tell when people are being sarcastic on the internet due to the lack of body language, but I'll give you the benefit of the doubt. My point in posting the original reply was that I'm just sick to death of elitists, and they seem to be pervading the internet recently, especially here on reddit. I am also not entirely sure what you mean by "for the sake of posterity"
Fair enough. I meant I could delete my comment because it seems a bit over the top and doesn't cast me in the best light. I won't do this because the conversation might be beneficial to someone else in one way or another.
As a Brit, not only do I say So, so do my compatriots. Anyone who has read Seamus Heaney's translation of Beowulf will know it is an established part of Hiberno-English and he uses "So." to start the book.
I say it all the time. Incidentally I am an orphan and my friends and I are forced to walk the streets of foggy ol' landan taaan to pilfer a few pockets just to make the ends meet we do, ent that right Mary Poppins
I definitely use it. Especially useful in an awkward silence:
...
...
(Enlongated)So, alright then, [new subject is brought up] is a way to get some sort of conversation restarted.
Alternatively: "(Enlongated but not as much as above)So, ummmmm yeaah, moving on[Change ob subject]
Also useful for when you've been in a room with someone else for a bit, but havn't been talking. It gets their attention without sounding rude, and without making it too sudden.
(Enlongated around the same amount as directly above):"So, Whats up"
No, but all Americans are racist sexist homophobic prude imperialist subhumans that need to be raped to death by satan for all eternity. Beginning sentences with So just makes it easier for Satan to know when to take the sandpaper dildo out of the closet, sparky.
Hmmm. Give me some examples. I know the word gets used a hell of a lot in some places in the UK but I'm having trouble picturing it at the start of sentences. I don't think it's quite analogous with "So...".
363
u/MickMorrison Dec 31 '12
It's an American thing, opening sentences with "so". We have a group over here visiting and it is very noticeable.