“Y'KNOW?”
I am disturbed by two numbers.
The first one designates the growing number of people I hear using “Y'know?” just about every time they open their mouths to say anything. Secondly, I wonder about the rate of increase this commonly-used evidence of ignorance and lack of training among those who know better but don't seem to care.
It has become common in average speech, that people no longer think there is anything wrong with such usage. Every one does it. That, to some people, makes it right, correct, worthy, commendable and even welcome in our daily speech – casual or formal – “to brighten up context or “to allow the hearer to participate in the thoughts being processed and transferred”.
It is unfair to point out several instances where the use of “y'know” has reached a condition of epidemic saturation. The term has develop meanings of it's own according to the punctuation marks required if it is written. The term ”y'know” can mean that the speaker is underlining what he has just said to be sure you understood it. He is either admitting he didn't say it very well, or that he doubts if you, in your retarded state, understood what he think he said at all. The same speaker may use the term “Y'know!” - with an exclamation point – to overlay text with a stroke of very yellow crayon goo to show you what has just been said was important. When used followed by a question mark , he is checking to see if you are still listening. If it has no markings, “y'know” it means anything either of you wish it mean and it is a good time to decide what is going to be said next. This is a point at which another expression is very often interposed -: “See what I mean?”
One of the most common location to see and hear “y'know” routine being done live is the usual spur-of- the-moment sport star interview when an announcer calls a player side to get his personal, sweaty opinions as to the progress or direction of the game in progress. At time, it becomes a duet performance with both speakers dropping in ”y'knows” to keep listeners and viewers informed to the max. Fortunately, these are short features but in longer, formal interviews and discussions such as performance can be deadly. The worst usage of “y'know” occurs on reports of the latest news.
I speak from personal experience in all of this. As a kid, - in the 6th or 7th grade, I think – I was walking to school one morning when my co-walker turned on me as I talked. “No, “ he scoffed I do not see what you mean!” He unloaded his disgust on me and told me I said it too often. I remember that reprimand because he said it loudly and in the presence of three of the prettiest girls in our school.
I haven't forgotten that dressing down by a classmate, y'know.
It has meant a lot to me. See what I mean?
A.L.M. September 6, 2004 [c521wds]
