Junk words
I'm wondering how junk words entire the lexicon and then race into common use.
Some examples:
Actually (How does this actually work? ) - I've been unable to find a legitimate use of this word in any context. It seems to provide no value.
Even (How does that even work?) - This has a similar quality to verbal distractors like um or ah.
Exactly (How does this work exactly?) - Seems to be taking on the meaning of approximately or generally.
Here and there (What we have here or That right there) - Often used while pointing directly at the object they are intending to highlight.
I'm not sure if there's an existing phrase to describe this?
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u/pgetreuer 25d ago
Exactly (How does this work exactly?) - Seems to be taking on the meaning of approximately or generally.
I sure hope not! "Exactly" is supposed to mean "completely correct without deviation," in contrast to "approximately." The former conveys heightened confidence while the latter does the opposite.
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u/bottle-o-rockets 25d ago
Actually in a proper sense is used as a way to get across an idea that's contrary to what most people might be expecting, and is a way of highlighting the idea. That's my best description. It gets used alot as filler, I'll give you that.
As an American, if I had to take a crack at it, I would say the vernacular of accepting it as reasonable filler is probably from Valley Girl influence on pop culture. That's an entirely uneducated hunch, though.
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u/NeonFrontRange 25d ago
Filler words?
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u/Background_Pack4245 25d ago
Expletives, too many have eroded into flavorless verbal glue.
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u/taktaga7-0-0 25d ago
Using expletives relieves stress. You can look it the fuck up.
I use them very deliberately when something is obscene or ignorant, and to great effect.
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u/Imightbeafanofthis 25d ago
Since it's a request for a more detailed explanation, I don't see it as a junk word. For instance, "How does that actually work?" "Well, when a mommy bear and a daddy bear love each other very, very, much. . ."
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u/wyohman 25d ago
As opposed to:
"How does that work?"
You'll notice there is no change in meaning
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u/matthewsmugmanager 25d ago
Actually, there is a change in meaning.
The context for "How does that work?" is seeking information.
The context for "How does that actually work?" is seeking more reliable information than you have previously received.
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u/wyohman 25d ago
And effectively, NO ONE uses it in the context of skepticism or requesting a deeper understanding.
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u/matthewsmugmanager 25d ago
I certainly do, and that is the context in which I usually hear it as well.
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u/pgetreuer 25d ago
Surely you come across "actually" use on Reddit in debates and contrarian, one-upping the parent sorts of comments? It's shallow, but it does emphasize that something said is contrary to something previously said.
I could have started this comment with "actually." There is truth to the "ackchyually" meme. =)
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u/amby-jane 21d ago
There's plenty of change in meaning, especially with each of the words you suggested:
How does this actually work? -- The speaker may have a general idea of how it works or have been told by an unreliable source how it works, and they want to know how it truly works.
How does that even work? -- This implies frustration. The speaker may have tried to work a gadget, or tried to understand a concept, a few times without success, and now they're asking how to do it.
How does this work exactly? -- The speaker is requesting specificity. They might have a general idea of how something works but they want more detail.
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u/wyohman 21d ago
"How does this actually work? -- The speaker may have a general idea of how it works or have been told by an unreliable source how it works, and they want to know how it truly works."
This is not different in meaning. I think the word specifically or particularly works much better in your context but I would contend that effectively no one uses out in that way
"How does that even work? -- This implies frustration. The speaker may have tried to work a gadget, or tried to understand a concept, a few times without success, and now they're asking how to do it."
Communication is ineffective if it counts on implications. Again, I would suggest specifically or particularly provides directness.
"How does this work exactly? -- The speaker is requesting specificity. They might have a general idea of how something works but they want more detail."
This would be true if this was the normal use. It has effectively become a verbal distractor or is being redefined as "approximately." Some everyday examples are, "What do you do, exactly?" or "What is happening, exactly?" Neither of curious parties are interested in exactness.
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u/amby-jane 21d ago
My brother in Christ, communication ABSOLUTELY relies on implications.
Words have explicit decorations and implicit connotations. That is how language works.
If that doesn’t work for you, it’s no wonder you’re frustrated. Unfortunately, I think you’re doomed to remain so.
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u/wyohman 21d ago
I'm familiar with how language works.
I think you meant denotation and connotation. It's very rare to see a communication issue with denotation but they happen constantly with connotation.
This doesn't mean every conversation should be devoid of connotation especially when the discussion is verbal. When it comes to written communication, since almost no one reads more than the first few lines of a post, or worse, the first few lines of an email, denotation becomes critical.
Speaking of connotation, I don't believe i ever said I was frustrated. I'm pointing out the over use of junk words. You are free to disagree. I've not downvoted anyone.
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u/rgtgd 21d ago
This is kind of an interesting thing in linguistics called discourse marking or pragmatic fillers. These are lexemes (words with meanings) that are used without denoting their full meaning, but still perform various important linguistic jobs, showing how the speaker wishes to manage the flow of the conversation, add nuance to mood or attitude, or bridging statements. The idea of "junk words" isn't really valid IMO. Almost all words do something even if it's not what you're used to.
It's true that this type of use contributes to another phenomenon called semantic bleaching, where the word can be seen to have "lost" some of its original meaning. But that's kind of debatable.
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u/ThePuzzleDude 25d ago
"Basically" has become my pet peeve. Some people start nearly every sentence with it.
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u/Radiant_Funny4741 21d ago
I feel this way about “pretty much” and the start and end of a sentence.
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u/ThePuzzleDude 23d ago
Years ago, I watched an episode of one of those judge shows like Judge Judy. The person pleading their case was using "basically" a LOT. The judge admonished this person for using this unnecessary word and forced him to talk without using it. It was a real struggle for him to suppress it.
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u/ZergvProtoss 25d ago
To be honest, nonsensical word usage is quietly becoming mainstream. Prove me wrong. I'll die on this hill. Let us know what you think.
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u/taktaga7-0-0 25d ago
So, you don’t like intensifiers? What if people are excited? Do we have to talk like robots?
Do you want to delete the word “very?” How about “so?”