This ubiquitous xpression is the most common in the English speaking world today, for the younger generation.

Presumably it tells those nearby that someone is going to say something, and wants to be watched - saying it - by peers.

Not always a verbal point - but often a grimace (or neutral/funny face). Perhaps an attempt to gain attention or an example of low interactions skills..

"The Evolution of 'Like' - How the ubiquitous, often-reviled word associated with young people and slackers represents the ever-changing English language"

www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archiv...tion-of-like/507614/

You seem to understand it pretty well so it must be an effective form of communication, at least.

I am amused by young people thinking a full stop is too abrupt,

so they leave gaps between words instead.

It should be a crime punishable by forced removal of the tounge...

Wyot wrote:
It should be a crime punishable by forced removal of the tounge...



I remember interviewing viewing someone about 5 year's ago; every answer contained "I was like." Of course she didn't get the job 🙄. It went to someone who spoke like Ian Carmichael and Audie Murphy. In other words very elegant tone of voice and wonderful mannerisms.

I interviewed a woman years ago who was late and had not brought the required ID docs.

Her explanation for this was that her cat had eaten her passport...

Alas, she was not successful in her application...

Another hugely irritating phrase: 'drops', as in 'his album drops this Friday' or 'The TV series dropped last week' or 'Her novel dropped today'. Language moves on, but it's supposed to find BETTER words, not worse ones! How is 'drop' an improvement on 'release' or 'publish'??? And it tends to be used by older journalists who just sound desperate to sound trendy. It really, really gets on my nerves!

Rick wrote:
Another hugely irritating phrase: 'drops', as in 'his album drops this Friday' or 'The TV series dropped last week' or 'Her novel dropped today'. Language moves on, but it's supposed to find BETTER words, not worse ones! How is 'drop' an improvement on 'release' or 'publish'??? And it tends to be used by older journalists who just sound desperate to sound trendy. It really, really gets on my nerves!

Does "Drop" mean it falling in the charts or it's being released ? I tend to avoid modern trends and yes I wore flannel shirts long before the hipsters did.

Fossil journalists are dire and they love olding on; whilst younger journalists are so biased and stick to their narrative. (Fake news}

I'm sure society is getting dumber by the day; I cringe when I hear today youth's try to talk in Califorinan slang/drawl.