So, Why Do Interviewees On The Tv Preceeed Every Answer With So....

[ToraToraTora]

There's a bloke on BBC News 24 at the moment, aaaarrrrgggghhhh!

[THECORBYLOON]

I read yesterday the BBC is suspending various programmes during this virus outbreak and Newsnight will be using fewer technical folk.

It might be that all folk on Newsnight need to have the badges as part of the new arrangements to show they are allowed to be in the studio.

[Khandro]

...and those with the virus get a bell.

[brainiac]

Just as irritating as the 'so' fashion, is that more and more people on TV and radio do not pronounce the g of ing words: runnin, hopin, travellin, speakin etc etc. Just listen, it's more and more prevalent - the unbearable Beth Rigby on Sky News is the absolute worst, but there are many many more.

[brainiac]

http://scottgronmark.blogspot.com/2017/03/it-aint-what-sky-pol-corr-beth-rigby.html

[Deskdiary]

Everything, in my view, pales into insignificance when compared to people that say 'haitch'.

[brainiac]

Ah yes, desk, we've done that before on AB. Hate it!

[brainiac]

https://www.theanswerbank.co.uk/Society-and-Culture/Question1593671.html

[THECORBYLOON]

Beth Rugby annoys me by her dropping final g's but I also drop them. A lot of Scots folk do the same and it sounds normal to me but it might be the English accent that makes it so jarring.

[vulcan42]

I blame Steve Wright for a lot of the dropped G's. On a Friday afternoon he has a 3/4 hour session playing music and it's referred to as "Serious Jockin, no G". During the week he constantly refers to this programme and reiterates the "no G". Also during the programme he invites listeners to call in to tell him what they're doing such as "I'm on a roof thatchin", or " we're travellin on the M2". It's so puerile and unnecessary.

[ichkeria]

They will all reap what they so ...

[brainiac]

Steve Wright is utterly unbearable, and it's a mystery why he's still on the radio - one of the last of the Smashie and Nicey generation

[andy-hughes]

Khandro - // So, what you're saying is, .... //

That's not actually the same thing.

The annoying habit of preacing a sentence with the word 'So ...' is just that, however -

When someone says, or indeed writes (!) the eq

[andy-hughes]

… equivalent of "So what you're saying is …" means that they are about to say something that the other party has actually NOT said at all, and then argue with them about what they have not said!

It brackets with "I'm not being funny but ..." and then proceeding to be exactly that!

Or "I don't mean to be rude but ..." and then be absolutely rude!!

And for the full set, why don't we have a go at people who offer an opinion with "Sorry, but … ".

If your opinion requires an advance apology, either you feel it's not worth stating, or you are aware it's actually not worth stating, either of which means you should keep your mouth shut!!!

[david small]

With all due respect. In your opinion. I don’t mean to interrupt.

[andy-hughes]

david small - // With all due respect. //

Another one!!

When anyone ever says that to me, and it is thankfully rare, I know that they have about as much respect for me as I have for a serial killer!!!

(And they are just about to prove it with what comes out of their mouth in the next couple of minutes!!!)

[vulcan42]

I've often heard people say "So what you're saying is..." and ending the statement with " is that correct"? They are not trying to argue against something the speaker hasn't said but to clarify what they have said.

[andy-hughes]

Old_Geezer - // So what ? Just gives a little thinking time whilst holding your turn to speak. //

It does, but that's a nano-second, so hardly worth the trouble.

Our local radio station has had an infectious diseases expert on the air from the local university to talk about the virus, and each time she is asked a question, she pauses for two or three seconds before she starts to respond, which feels like quite a long time, but it silently indicates that she is thinking carefully before she speaks - a trait more could do with!

[andy-hughes]

vulcan - // I've often heard people say "So what you're saying is..." and ending the statement with " is that correct"? They are not trying to argue against something the speaker hasn't said but to clarify what they have said. //

Out of every ten times the phrase is used, I reckon the split is one for your version, and nine for mine!!

[vulcan42]

So what you're saying is, you think the percentages are in your favour, is that correct? :o)

[Canary42]

I'm surprised we haven't had the To be quite honest with you . . . which implies the rest of the time they have been lying - prevalent amongst MPs.