Starting a Sentence With “So, ...” What's Up With That?

[abajan]

One of the relatively recent changes in the use of English that I am finding hard to get used to, is the habit by many (mostly Californians, so it appears — no offense to my Californian friends!) to begin a sentence with the word “So” when it makes absolutely no sense (IMO). I see it happen on TV quite often: A reporter asks someone a question and the responder begins his/her answer with “So...”. It comes across like “I’m totally ignoring what you asked and will continue with what I was saying before you interrupted me!”

Somehow I can take the Canadian “eh” at the end of a sentence but the Californian “So” at the beginning just seems so inappropriate.

What do you guys think?

[WeatherLovingDoc]

Hahaha! Have to laugh at this question. However it's not unique to Californians. Here in the East Coast, it's considered very cerebral to start one's response with "so,...". I have heard many a professional attempt coolness with that two letter word over the last two to three years.

Great question/comment!
-WLD

[Cyclenall]

Here in Canada that is also normal and the "eh" stereotype is very true up here as well.

[coriolis]

I've noticed that people will start a question with "So" to sound familiar, as if the actors have a regular, ongoing dialog.

"So........what have you been up to lately?" The implication being that there's a level of intimacy whether real or pretended.


I've also noticed the "thoughtful So" as a response to a question. This will often preceed a partial or full restating of the question. I think a person could use it as a delaying or evasive tactic while they try to think on their feet.

Q: "What are you doing Friday night?"
A: "So....you're wondering if I'm free Friday night?"


People will also use "so" to prepare for a rebuttal.

"So you think I don't do my share of the housework around here?"


Then of course, "so" can be a substitute for "In conclusion" or "therefore"

"So you can see that the chicken definitely came before the egg"



Hmm. I'm going to do some more people watching and see what I come up with. I kind of think that these uses of "so" are shortcuts and coverups for imprecise languange. If I come up with anything else I'll post it.....

[somethingfunny]

So what's this all really about?

[StormingB81]

So what's this all really about?

I knew someone had to throw that in there...lol

[coriolis]

So what's this all really about?

Ah! The "lighthearted So"

So did you think you'd get a serious answer?

[southerngale]

So what! Why do you even care?

[coriolis]

so you think I'm serious, do you?

[abajan]

Actually, the title of this thread should have been Starting a Response to a Question With “So, ...” What’s Up With That? to more accurately reflect the point I was trying to make. But I guess the English language is just going through a natural evolution and I’m just going to have to get used to the changes. After all, no one speaks like Shakespeare anymore!

[vbhoutex]

Actually, the title of this thread should have been Starting a Response to a Question With “So, ...” What’s Up With That? to more accurately reflect the point I was trying to make. But I guess the English language is just going through a natural evolution and I’m just going to have to get used to the changes. After all, no one speaks like Shakespeare anymore!

That really made me think(alright, quiet in the peanut gallery!!). The U.S.A. is 233 years old and was basically established by English(from England)speaking people. Why has the language "changed" so much in such a short time. We don't speak with that type of accent. What changed it? I realize we are now a totally multicultural nation with probably thousands of languages spoken here, but I still ask the question since it is our "native" language.

[Infdidoll]

I do this all the time...but I'm not from California. It usually rolls off my tongue before I say something mildly amusing. Now that I know it annoys people, I'm going to have to try to stop...and I don't know how.

So...any suggestions?

[mf_dolphin]

So where's George Carlin when you really need him.

[Pburgh]

So, how about "like" in a sentence!!!LOL
So it's like really hard to speak proper English. LOL


or any English for that matter.

[southerngale]

So does anyone else love this thread like I do?

[somethingfunny]

So does anyone else love this thread like I do?

Like, yeah it's alright

[Pburgh]

So do you like think it will be one of those never ending threads?

[vbhoutex]

So how long do you think we can keep this thread going?

[Pburgh]

Like a really long time....

[coriolis]

Q: so how are you doing today?

A: so-so