When/why did people begin starting sentences with 'so?'

[ODB]

I have noticed in the past few years it seems everyone is starting sentences with 'so.' Spoken AND written.

So I went on vacation..
So i:m looking for a new gun...
So i'm wondering...

This phenomenon seems to span a wide range of people as far as interest groups - but not really older people, so it must have something to do with the younger generations.

I am in the middle of editing a shitpile of stuff for a technology startup and while the team is very smart, every damn third sentence starts with 'so,' "So, to enable the code, you'll need to do XYZ." How about "To enable the code..."??

It's gotten to the point where I often just search and delete every 'so' in a document.

I am not sure of the source of 'so' at the beginning of sentences, but for the love of Pete, if you see one, delete it, if you say one, stop.

That is all...

 

[Dos XX]

So, it kinda began when we started becoming dumber. I can't, like, put a date on it or anything. So, that's kinda it.

 

[Scoot]

I think it started at the same time that People started saying "feel" instead of "think".

"I feel like I should know the answer to your question, but I just can't come up with it."

 

[Poser]

So, What's The Big Deal With Starting A Sentence With 'So'?

It has been called the new "um" or "like," but linguist Geoff Nunberg says starting sentences with "so" isn't a new trend. People have been doing it for years. We're just noticing it more now.

www.npr.org

 

[Poser]

1992 is on the line and sentences most definitely started with “so”

 

[wapitibob]

started with facebook

 

[ODB]

So, What's The Big Deal With Starting A Sentence With 'So'?

It has been called the new "um" or "like," but linguist Geoff Nunberg says starting sentences with "so" isn't a new trend. People have been doing it for years. We're just noticing it more now.

www.npr.org

from the article: "Starting sentences with "so" isn't a trend or a thing. However it may strike you, people aren't doing it any more frequently than they were 50 or 100 years ago.

Bullshit. I literally (and I mean that literally) just deleted seven "so"s out of a 588-word tech doc - all started a sentence.

They are as useless as tits on a boar hog...

 

[wyodan]

from the article: "Starting sentences with "so" isn't a trend or a thing. However it may strike you, people aren't doing it any more frequently than they were 50 or 100 years ago.

Bullshit. I literally (and I mean that literally) just deleted seven "so"s out of a 588-word tech doc - all started a sentence.

They are as useless as tits on a boar hog...

That's mighty funny that they are typing it out.

 

[Maverick1]

I have noticed in the past few years it seems everyone is starting sentences with 'so.' Spoken AND written.

So I went on vacation..
So i:m looking for a new gun...
So i'm wondering...

This phenomenon seems to span a wide range of people as far as interest groups - but not really older people, so it must have something to do with the younger generations.

I am in the middle of editing a shitpile of stuff for a technology startup and while the team is very smart, every damn third sentence starts with 'so,' "So, to enable the code, you'll need to do XYZ." How about "To enable the code..."??

It's gotten to the point where I often just search and delete every 'so' in a document.

I am not sure of the source of 'so' at the beginning of sentences, but for the love of Pete, if you see one, delete it, if you say one, stop.

That is all...

So what?

 

[CorbLand]

Personally, language was designed to convey ideas. Then somewhere along the way someone came along and put rules to it to make themselves feel special. If you can convey the idea and the other can understand you, what does it really matter?

 

[ODB]

Personally, language was designed to convey ideas. Then somewhere along the way someone came along and put rules to it to make themselves feel special. If you can convey the idea and the other can understand you, what does it really matter?

That's just it - to communicate in a way that is most effective, it has to be done through a convention that is easily understood by the widest group of people. This is why languages die - because they become comprehensible by fewer and fewer people.

If an idea gets lost in the language, can it really be conveyed? No.

 

[CorbLand]

That's just it - to communicate in a way that is most effective, it has to be done through a convention that is easily understood by the widest group of people. This is why languages die - because they become comprehensible by fewer and fewer people.

If an idea gets lost in the language, can it really be conveyed? No.

Does adding the word “so” to the beginning of a sentence render you incapable of understanding the idea that is being conveyed?

Also, far from an expert and I am sure there are 10 people on here that could correct me but I am pretty sure languages are more likely to die when they do not evolve and change with the times versus the chosen vernacular to start a sentence with.

 

[Hatchet Jack]

Jesus, boomers would complain if they were hung with a new rope.

 

[Sea Wolf]

"so" can be used when you're making the point of a subject or concluding an idea or concept. I think "so" is now being when presenting a fact or idea outright to state that a point is being made without the prior dialog.

 

[Jellymon1]

So what?

 

[406life]

This is funny, since I started recording myself I hear all my idiosyncrasies and "so" is one of them. So, I've tried to consciously say it less and use other words to fill in.

 

[BFR]

So, it’s like, well ya know uh………..

Sorry, couldn’t help myself.

 

[ozyclint]

^^ Ha ha beat me to it.

 

[MattB]

I think it started at the same time that People started saying "feel" instead of "think".

"I feel like I should know the answer to your question, but I just can't come up with it."

As my buddy tells his wife "feelings aren't facts".

 

[bbell]

I know, right?

Pet peeve of mine I have absolutely used the word “like” way to much and hate it. Somehow it slipped in there with out me realizing it