To hate threads and sentences that start with "So..."

[Cherrypieplum]

I don't know why it just sounds so affected!

Somebody somewhere on MN suggested that scientists start a lot of their sentences with 'so'. I don't know if that's entirely true but it doesn't honestly bother me.

So, get over yourself OP, YABU - it's not as bad as some things!

Mind you, if you'd said "starting sentences with 'So anyway I sez to him...' " I'd have agreed with you like a shot!

I thought this topic was going to be slightly different from what it turned out to be.

I've heard a few people being interviewed on the Today program recently starting responses with "So", usually academics/scientists. I assume that they normally show their working leading up to an important conclusion, joining premises to conclusion with "so", and through force of habit they now always prefix any important statement with "so."

They have slightly more justification than conventional offenders, but it's still annoying.

If you want properly affected, the oldest work of literature in the English language starts with a word that translates best as 'So, ...'.

I don't think it's either affected or 'thick'. Just a habit while you're gathering your thoughts.

True about academics and scientists, I've noticed that. Especially American ones. Those Apple geek types often do it in their keynote presentations.

I use it sometimes. I am usually collecting my thoughts.
Possibly it is irritating but I don't give a shit.

My sister starts every sentence with 'so'. It drives me MAD.

My DS2 used to start every sentence with "because" almost from the time he could talk. Was very cute

"Because can I have an icecream?

I start sentences with "OK" a lot as well. Like paggy, it's a collecting my thoughts thing

Oh I cant stand this either, is it an american thing that ended up over here?

Better than those starting with 'Listen...' - oh that drives me nuts.

I'll hold my hands up and admit that I do this in conversation.
"So, do you remember I told you.." not sure why, may be an Irish thing?

Absolutely hate it, it seems very affected when written down.

I hate my iPod's habit of writing do every time I mean so. It's SO annoying.
So, I may have to boot up the PC.

I find it slightly more annoying when people start every sentence with "Ok, ..." but I don't know too many people who do that. And the one I do know is very academic.

"Yeah but" would be infinitely more annoying.

And in Australia, I have had to get used to lots of people starting sentences with "Look", including politicians, public speakers etc.

Still doesn't really bother me though. :)

It's much less irritating than posts that start 'Talk to me about' or end with 'dicuss'.

Proudnscary! Yes! It sounds so demanding and imperious!

And posters who just post "I agree with what x said". Fantastic contribution!

My sister and a close friend both start all their sentences with 'so'. My husband has started doing it. I find it deeply irritating!

'So........what do we think.........?' is even worse, as if MN is a collective voice.

I agree with what Proudnscary said.

Actually, until she wrote it I hadn't realised how common and deeply irritating it is.

Saying 'I agree with x' is polite and functional.

Yanbu, what's worse is when people end a sentence on "so", or perhaps use it as filler word or perhaps even a sentence in itself.

I meant to say I have no problem with 'so' in a correct context but when it's used incorrectly it's infuriating.

Back2two That's strange! I don't mind that so much!

yy! So I absolutely agree - it is a recent linguistic development I think. I have also noticed it with scientists- especially if they are being interviewed on 5live.

So. Yeah.

(Is another one.)

The Aussie 'Look' has been around for a long time though - it always sounds so rude (although it isn't meant to be! )