We all know the phrase, it’s an integral part of speech yet so often frowned upon. Yes, the unmistakable “like”; it may be commonly used when speaking but why is it so prominent? In this article, we’ll explore the reasoning for why people often use “like” in their speech and examine its implications.
1. What is the Story Behind the “Like” Phenomenon?
The concept of “liking” was popularized by Facebook when the service was launched in 2004. It quickly became the emojis of choice for millions of people globally, for a variety of reasons. By liking something, users found a quick and simple way to acknowledge something they thought was interesting or to pay someone a virtual compliment.
This trend quickly caught on with other social media platforms like Twitter, Instagram, and Snapchat. These sites allow users to like every post they come across and, in some cases, view how many likes a post has received. Interactions like this create an ecosystem that encourages user engagement, which, in turn, leads to longer viewing times.
The ability to like something isn’t just a way to lower the commitment of responding to a post. Likes show people that you actually appreciate something they shared. Users, especially younger generations, enjoy receiving validation and positive support online. By “liking” something, users connect with each other and their own emotions, strengthening the bond between content and individual.
What’s more, studies have linked “likes” with improving mental well-being. When you post something and get several “likes” from your peers, it can improve self-esteem and even increase creativity. This connects to how people create their online identities, which, in turn, can create powerful habits that help shape and promote better user engagement.
2. What is the Purpose of Excessive Use of “Like”?
The online world has seen the rise of many phrases that have gradually moved from the social sites to everyday conversations. One of these phrases is the overuse of the word ‘like’. It is used to add emphasis to an opinion or replace basic everyday words like ‘said’ or ‘thought’. Yet many are often unaware of the purpose this serves and the effects it can have.
- Lack of Emotion
The purpose of ‘like’ is usually used when the speaker is trying to state their opinion on a matter without emoting. This is a common feat in conversations and debates as one should keep a level head and not let their emotions dictate the conversation. As such, the word like is used as a method of keeping speech neutral. It is also used when the speaker is unsure of how to react and wants to remain impartial in their response. - Filler Word
The word ‘like’ is often also used when a person is trying to fill in the gaps in a conversation. Instead of elaborating more on the matter, they will use the word like in order to cut through the awkward silence. It could be used for humorous effect, to add emphasis, or to simply pass the time. - Cultural Adoption
The reason for the overuse of ‘like’ is no doubt because of its adoption in slang and teenage language. It’s an easy term to use and as such has been adopted by the younger generations for every day conversations. Unfortunately, it is often viewed as the sign of poor language skills and can give off an impression of insecurity. - Deciding Factor
Ultimately, the purpose of the excessive use of ‘like’ lies with the user. It can be a tool to add emphasis or to simply pass the time. As long as it’s not used too often in a conversation, its use can be beneficial and is up to the user’s discretion to decide when and when not to use it.
3. Is Extensive Use of “Like” a Language Trend?
Using the word “like” has become characteristic of casual speech among certain age groups.
Young people between the ages of 13 and 28 years old often use “like” as a transition word to connect ideas or to express the way they feel about something. Excessive use of the term, however, has frequently been criticised as the speaker appears to lack confidence or conviction in their opinion.
It should be noted that using the word “like” in casual speech is not necessarily new. Texts from as early as the 1930s have shown that people frequently used the word – and generations since then too. Today, it has just acquired a different connotation.
In conclusion, although using the word “like” is deemed a language trend among young people, its use has been around for a while, as evidenced by its appearance in texts from the 1930s. So maybe it’s not so revolutionary after all.
4. What are The Psychological Reasons Behind Overusing “Like”?
From the inception of social media, the phrase “like” has become an essential part of modern communication. Like a virtual expression of approval, “like” emojis, stickers, and words are used as an affirming reaction to show appreciation, but they can sometimes be used out of habit or as a mere reaction, without the user actually fully feeling and understanding what they’re expressing. So why do we overuse the word “like?” Here are some psychological reasons behind it.
-
Digitally Coping with Social Anxiety
When it comes to face-to-face interaction, it’s no secret that many struggle to feel confident and at ease. When communicating digitally, there’s no need to worry about the fear of weird looks from bystanders or the fact that we might be uncertain of what to say. “Like” acts as a simple yet satisfying response in digital interactions, particularly for those that are shy or unsure when in social situations. -
Fear of Missing Out (FOMO)
No one wants to be left in the dark. The fear of missing out on the latest news can really instill a sense of panic, especially when the world is seemingly spinning ever faster around us. Therefore, “likes” offer a simple way to stay on top of the game and show that you’re actively participating in a certain social group. -
The Lure of Human Interaction
Humans have a natural need to develop relationships and have meaningful connections. Without those connections or the right atmosphere, the instinct to humanly interact may get lost in the crowd. “Like” features can act as a way to react and engage, allowing people to feel a part of the conversation without saying too much. -
Validation
In this era of instant gratification, it’s no surprise that the affirmation of a shared “like” alone is enough to boost the confidence of some users significantly. People see “likes” as a living metric of personal status, where each one bestows self-validation of their thoughts and beliefs. On social media platforms, this virtual interaction can easily spiral into a validation addiction that drives people to constantly seek out approval from others.
Ultimately, whether it’s out of coping with social anxiety, or a subconscious way to get approval, people can easily slip into the habit of overusing the term “like.” Whatever the case may be, it’s important to remember that while the “like” button offers a tiny click of gratification, it won’t lead to true relationships or meaningful connections.
5. How Prevalent Is the Use of “Like” Among Various Age Groups?
In recent years, it has become clear that the word like is used in a variety of ways in different conversations. People of all ages are saying it, and the prevalence of this word may show different attitudes and perceptions depending on the age group.
Perhaps one of the most interesting dynamics is between the usage of “like” between different age groups – particularly teens and adults. Younger people naturally use the word in all sorts of contexts, not only when they understand the concept of “liking” something but to express almost any emotion or thought they have. As people become older though, most learn to to be more conscious of the words they use and likely learn to choose their words more carefully.
As a result, the use of “like” varies significantly among people of different ages. For teens between the ages of 13 and 18, the use of this word is especially commonplace. The boundaries between people of this age are less developed as teens often learn communication skills from their peers instead of adults and people of older generations. As a result, friends often imitate one another when it comes to using the word “like”.
On the other hand, as people become older, the use generally drops off significantly. By the time people reach their mid twenties or thirties, using the word becomes much less accepted unless it fits into more specific contexts. Adults will more often use words like “simply”, “really”, or “truly” rather than “like” in the same contexts.
Overall, the usage of the word “like” is quite prevalent and accepted in certain groups such as teens, but drops off significantly as people grow older. This may be connected to societal expectations and the development of communication skills as people age, but ultimately the status of “like” as a word is something that many people feel differently about.
6. Is Extravagant Use of “Like” a Dysfunctional Communication Habit?
The widespread use of “like” and its many different connotations has been a topic of discussion and debate for some time. But is it a dysfunctional communication habit?
In informal conversation, “like” often serves as a casual placeholder; words to fill the gap between thoughts. However, for more serious debate and communication between individuals, it can often become a crutch with overuse. Even during the online schooling epoch, many tutors have complained of students peppering their sentences with “like” before introducing a point.
To assess its dysfunctional communication habit, let’s examine some characteristics of “like”:
- It encourages vagueness – Statements become blurred when used in conversation, as people can become uncertain about the speaker’s meaning and intent.
- It can reduce clarity – The habit of using “like” excessively can obscure the points the speaker wishes to make, diminishing the clarity of their statements.
- It can slow down communication – Overuse of “like” can fragment phrases and detract from the flow of conversation, introducing pauses between thought sequences.
Ultimately, it’s essential to use “like” in moderation in formal conversation. When words like “like” are overused, they become less meaningful and can begin to take away from an individual’s ability to communicate effectively.
7. How Can We Reduce Excessive Use of “Like” in Our Communication?
How can we go about cutting down on the use of “like” in everyday conversations? Here are a few strategies we can apply:
- Practice mindfulness. When speaking to others, be mindful of the words you use. Understand that phrases such as “I’m like … ” or “They’re like …” don’t signify anything and will only clutter conversations.
- Know when to use the word “like”. This word is appropriate in certain situations like providing an example (“He was like that all the time”). By being aware of when we use the word, it becomes easier to pick out when we’re using it excessively.
- Challenge yourself. We can motivate ourselves to better communication habits by setting a challenge. Ask friends and family to power down on the word “like” for a week so that everyone can practice. You can even turn it into a game by counting the total number of “like”s used at the end of the week.
- Replace “like” with other words. As the saying goes, variety is the spice of life. When casually speaking, try to use words that refer to what is being said, such as “similar” or “ongoing”. By substituting “like” with a more applicable word, our conversations take on a much clearer and more meaningful form.
By actively making an effort, we can reduce our excessive use of “like” in everyday communication. Moreover, it will help foster richer, more meaningful conversations, thereby enabling better understanding between people.
Ultimately, using the word “like” doesn’t necessarily have to be a bad thing. It’s how and when we use it that matters. Aware of our concept and mindful of our words, we can all learn to communicate better.
We now know that saying “like” is a common linguistic habit that helps us to communicate more effectively, highlighting our ideas and emotions with each utterance. In the end, we can assure that like-saying is a habit that’s both perfectly natural and, most importantly, totally harmless. So the next time you catch yourself using “like” in a conversation, take it as a sign of your increasing verbal dexterity.