I mean

[Flyinggeesei234]

I’m seeing this increasingly. Posts starting with the words ‘I mean…’.

Has anyone else noticed? Any thoughts on why? Is it from a TV programme maybe?

I know it’s not a new thing, but it’s everywhere!

I mean I haven't given it much thought.
There was a phase where people started their posts with 'so.....'

None of those are as bad as 'Dear reader....' which thankfully you don't see much of on here.

@TheChippendenSpook Fair enough; it could be worse!

Reminds me of Alice’s Restaurant! “I mean..I mean…I mean…I’m sitting here on this bench, sitting here, on this Group W bench…”

It's a conversation filler and is actively taught to non-native speakers as an informal, conversational way to sound more "English".
Most languages have an equivalent (Italian "voglio dire" etc) and as the phrases are informal, often don't get taught to learners, so anyone picking them up and using them is considered proficient.
The term "I mean" is actually on our checklist for exams for non-native speakers as something to listen out for and mark up.

This is really interesting @NowZeusHasLainWithLeda, I don’t know anything about English language teaching.

Can I ask you, is ‘I mean’ taught as an opening phrase, though, as opposed to
emphasise a point or punctuate a sentence?

I’m sure it’s becoming the new ‘So…’!

That's what she means - using things like "So..." and "I mean" demonstrate greater fluency because they're closer to how native speakers use the language.

You'll have conversational filler terms yourself, even if it isn't these ones.

I do this unintentionally and also say “you know” a lot in a way that must be incredibly annoying for others but I don’t know how to stop. When I was younger it was the dreaded “like”. But I have ADHD and sometimes my thoughts are racing so much I need these fillers to buy time to figure out what the hell I was talking about 😅