Why do so many posts begin with So?

[DianaTremaine]

I've noticed this a lot on MN at the moment.

Has this always been a thing or is it more recent?

I find it irritating, largely because the "So" is superfluous and the sentence reads better without it.

CherryValanc Sun 31-May-20 05:47:02
"So, ..." as a sentence starter has definitely been going on for years.

In fact I recall a huge scrap on parenting message board about it, which must have happened about 12 years ago at least. (Not sure why I recall it, someone was writing a book and posted the first chapter and it started with "So" - there was then about 5000 posts of mud slinging about it.)
...
I'm surprised that didn't stop it happening.

I read an opening past yesterday with three sentences starting with 'So'. It's beyond me.

This is me.

I actually try to avoid starting written sentences with it but verbally I say 'do' A LOT.

I didn't realise until someone pointed it out to me a couple of years ago but I appear unable to stop as it's not done consciously.

I agree with a PP re: it being the replacement to the 90's 'basically'. I wonder who started it?

Obviously that should be 'so' not 'do' - autocorrect!

@Lynda07

CherryValanc Sun 31-May-20 05:47:02 "So, ..." as a sentence starter has definitely been going on for years.

In fact I recall a huge scrap on parenting message board about it, which must have happened about 12 years ago at least. (Not sure why I recall it, someone was writing a book and posted the first chapter and it started with "So" - there was then about 5000 posts of mud slinging about it.)
...
I'm surprised that didn't stop it happening.

What?

Why would a lengthy thread on a message board stop it happening?

As PPs have said it's a filler word in speech which is being repeated in writing. It comes across to me as a lack of assertiveness - people don't feel brave enough to just say what they want to say, so glide into it with filler words as it makes them feel more comfortable.

I agree, it's a filler word used conversationally. No, it probably shouldn't be used in written english but this is an informal discussion forum and posters do tend to write in a conversational style. The other problem with writing more formally is that, if an opening post is nicely written, setting out a situation clearly and asking for opinions, it will immediately attract sneery comments accusing the OP of being a journalist.

Surely people read threads and learn from them? I do.

It's common in speech, especially with younger people.
I don't like it.

I think it's similar to starting with "Look," or "Listen," or "Um,".