April 19, 2017 Article

The Old Coot, “Feels like” 2 + 2 = 5.

By Merlin Lessler

“Sooo!” – “I feel like…..” – “Sup?” These three expressions are part of the new hip language in our society. And, once again, I’m out of step! This leaves two choices for an old coot like me; join them, or become a critic? If I join them, I’ll look like an idiot. Picture this – some old sourpuss coming along, his arm raised, saying, “Sup?” & “Give me five!” It just doesn’t fit. So, I’ll take the critic route and see where it leads me.

“Sooo.” – is a widely-used starter when someone is answering a question. It’s quite prevalent in one-on-one conversations, but more noticeable on the media when well-educated, and articulate commentators and guests use it to start a response. A commentator will ask a guest, “What is the effect of the new policies to protect students on campus?” The college dean will respond – “Sooo. The Title 9 rules…. blah, blah, blah.” Sooo is used so frequently in this manner, we hardly notice it anymore. It has replaced: “Er.” – “Um.” – “Well.” and “Ahh”. All words I mastered in the third grade, when called on by the teacher and didn’t know the answer. If the intellectuals who start their answers with Sooo, just dropped it, they would appear much more knowledgeable.

“ I feel like.” Has only recently made the language scene, but it is even more widespread than “So.” It has totally replaced: - “I think” – “To the best of my knowledge” – “I heard” – “It is my opinion.” I FEEL LIKE is a cop out. You’re never wrong when you cushion a declaration with, I feel like…”  You can’t be criticized for making an asinine statement because it’s how you FELT, not what you thought or knew. You hide behind the “I FEEL” (I don’t know the facts but I feel like they are this or that). “I FEEL LIKE” has also succeeded in replacing that old (cop-out) favorite, “They say.” Both, take the speaker out of the equation and let their unfounded assertions go unchallenged.

“Sup?” is last on my list . The short form of “What’s up?” It usually evokes a, “Nothing,” in response. It’s more of a conversation stopper than a conversation starter. When we are confronted with it, our brain freezes; we can’t come up with a good answer and feel just like we did when the teacher asked us a question in third grade and we had no idea what she was talking about.

SO, I FEEL LIKE & SUP need to be challenged until they disappear. “THEY SAY” it will happen; it’s just a matter of time. I sure hope so!    

Complaints, comments send to – mlessler7@gmail.com