So why do so many people begin their threads with "So?"

[AGCurry]

Just asking. I suspect it's a verbal tic that has become a written one.

 

[LBS-bass]

I do it. That or "well," or something like that. It's mostly that I write the way I talk when I'm writing conversationally.

It's not just here, by any means. Listen to interviews on the radio or TV. It almost always goes this way. The host asks a question and the guest will start with, "yeah," or "so," or something similar. Just conversational speech in an informal setting. I guess you could call it a verbal tic if you want.

So, I hope that helps

 

[LBS-bass]

BTW the one that bugs me on TV and radio is "thank you for having me."

They HAD you? For what? Dinner? Something I dare not name?

The correct phrase is "thank you for having me on your show," but no one ever says this

 

[Samatza]

I suspect there are many, many Peter Gabriel fans out there…

 

[iammr2]

So...I don't know!

 

[Gsnorgathon]

So, well... I think it's because "Lo!" has gone out of fashion. Maybe we should try to revive it.

 

[dangevans]

So.... Lol

 

[Pocket4]

So, kind of a variation of umm or ahh for a second to collect my thoughts. You're onto something though why would anyone write out a "so"?

 

[Anne Millington]

Even "So, well, yeah, ..."
Bothers me every time.

 

[JohnnyBottom]

Uhhhhh i have no idea

 

[Zooberwerx]

It usually accentuates their self-righteous indignation about some trivial aspect. Also an opening line for bad stand-up comics: "So...what is it with the airline food?!?".

Riis

 

[Swerve]

So my uncle pointed out the whole starting sentences with “so” to me about 15 years ago. Said he noticed it mostly in academic circles back then but it’s since gone mainstream. Now I use “well” and “so” interchangeably and don’t even think about it anymore.

 

[Leigh Semmens]

So?????

 

[WarwickE36]

So why did you start your title with so?

 

[vvvmmm]

Like, I have no idear.

But, I might could guess.

You know, it's a tic.

 

[BazzaBass]

Just asking. I suspect it's a verbal tic that has become a written one.

It’s a 5th?

 

[2112]

Because that's the note follows "fa".

 

[vvvmmm]

I will add, I kinda pay attention to speech patterns for professional reasons, and I have noticed that that preliminary "so" has become very common in the last year or two.

I notice TV comedians (not hosts so much, except Fallon) using it, as well as 20-somethings.

 

[Michedelic]

Literally so, or figuratively?

 

[GretschWretch]

Lisa got the copyright on this almost thirty years ago. About :30 in.



(As an aside, I think this video is a masterpiece of body language non-verbal communication.)