Or is it a filler word? Filler words such as “um”, “uh”, and “you know”, are words, sounds, or phrases people use to “fill in” empty spaces in communication.

I have noticed a sharp increase in the use of the word “right” in conversation. I first noticed it in use by son some time after college, about 10 years ago, in conversations where he seemed to use it as a way to imply confirmation of a fact or point while working toward a larger point. For example, he might say “we all agree that murder is bad, right, so . . .” And in my experience it’s been in use by people of his generation (he’s now 31).

But lately I’m noticing it all the time. I just watched an interview with the CEO of FanDuel about sports betting. This woman appeared to be in her 60s, and she was constantly using it. As in “take a state like California, right, blah blah blah, right. . .”

When I noticed my son using it I thought it was just shorthand for “don’t you agree”, but it’s so widespread now that I’m thinking it’s just a new filler word.

Anyone else notice this usage?

It's been used that way for many years and I believe it originated in 20th Century Valley Speak- the patois of Southern California "Valley Girls".

Well, using "right" in such a way is a thing and some will replace it with "no". Opposite words with same usage.

“..we all agree that murder is bad, right..."
“..we all agree that murder is bad, no..."

"I know, right?"

I'll use this from time to time when I'm relating a story to my wife, for the comic effect of it, because it's not something which I would ever say in earnest and she knows this.

"He said to me 'I don't think that's gonna work' and I said "I know, riiiiight?'"

Since the 1990s, I've noticed young women responding simply "Right?" when you say something they agree with enthusiastically.

In sales or trying to convince people something it's used to get people used to agreeing with you. If you ask them to say 'yes' to a number of things that everyone agrees on or is a know fact then when it's time to make the big ask, they already feel like they agree with you on things and are comfortable.

Ex:

You agree kicking puppies is bad, right? I think it's pretty universally knows that kicking puppies is bad, right? People who kick puppies are pretty much scum, right? Most people who are puppy kickers wouldn't be hired by their employers if their employer knew they kicked puppies right?



Would you consider donating to our kicked puppy fund with part of the proceeds go towards a website that outs puppy kickers?

Or

Seems like we are largely in agreement about these puppy kickers, would you like to do something to stop all the kicking? Perfect! Could you make a check out today to Anti-Puppy Kickers of America?

Haven't noticed that one, but 'like' is the filler that I recall from my days in HS, and seems to still be going strong.

Got mentioned on the morning show on my commute earlier this week, I think in reference to an episode of The Bachelor. The clip they played was excruciating.

Right (right!), you're bloody well right!

I think it’s a British thing that has made its way over here. Look at Gordon Ramsay, he says “right” a lot while speaking.

quote:

Originally posted by PASig:
I think it’s a British thing that has made its way over here. Look at Gordon Ramsay, he says “right” a lot while speaking.

Top Gear, the Clarkson/Hammond/May version, also started a lot of statements with "Right!" as well.

I think it is shorthand for/a dilution of "am I right?" the irritating phrase heard often in media when they are trying to portray the character as obnoxious. Think Dwight Schrute's argumentative style. ISTR this started in the 70's, and soon spread to the general public, mostly guys who had insecurity issues with their opinions or presence as a tactic to get their subsequent remarks pre-acknowledged.

Right!/Roite! at the start of a conversational interjection goes back a lot further, I associate it with Aussie-speak, as a way to signal agreement with one's correspondent.

I spend *a lot* of time editing out these fillers -specifically, "um"- from my corporate video interviews I do as a full-time job.

It gets really tiring.

This thread reminds me, I’ve been serious about improving my Spanish for many years. I’ve come to understand that in order to sound more like a native speaker, it’s recommended that you use filler words freely when speaking. A common word is “bueno” which essentially means “well,” as in ”Bueno, veo que por fin has llegado.” “Well, I see that you’ve finally arrived.” There are, of course, others. All that to say, I suppose filler words in conversation are pretty universal. Certainly IS necessary to edit them out of writing.

So,

I received a note the other day from a college student describing a problem they were having. "So, when we try to.."

I can see speaking that way, but writing it?

I do the very same thing on the pages of this forum. Sometimes, I will write formally. Other times, I will write in a manner mimicking colloquial speech. It dpends- usually- on whether I am trying to be informative or entertaining.

“know what I'm sayin'?”
That has to be the worst. Thanks hip hop culture

quote:

Originally posted by ZSMICHAEL:
“know what I'm sayin'?”
That has to be the worst. Thanks hip hop culture

No the worst is "You feel me?"

My brother has done that for years. It's just part of his brosplaining routine. He wants me to acknowledge that he knows everything.

quote:

Originally posted by parabellum:
"I know, right?"

Fingernails. On a chalkboard.

I know, right?

"I mean "
Is happening a lot.

Filler words
Challenge credibility
for me.

Because Iam old and increasingly judgemental.

I walked away from one salesman directly to another one ,thirty feet away,
Just the other day because #1 could not compose and complete a sentence.