American teens

[intpz]

Do American teenagers act like they are portrayed in some movies? I sometimes stumble upon such language in various places around the internet, but I'm not sure if the majority or at least half of them talk like this:

Extensively say "like:" "I'm like going to Joe's house, and he's like at the door, and we're like talking, and he like says that I'm like not on time. And I'm like why, and he's like "because I'm jacking off," and I'm like "ewww."

Use idiotic expressions: "I'm so going there," "You really take the cake,"

Extensively use the word "fuck:" "Get me a fucking beer, will ya?" - says Joe's roommate when he's going to the kitchen.

Extensively says "I mean" and "you know:" "Marge's cool, you know? I mean she's awesome... I mean... She cooks and cleans, you know? I mean... She's cool dude."

*add your own observation/question here*

EDIT: One more thing - I've been reading a lot about those spoiled teens, mostly girls, who are unhappy with presents their parents give them (fancier cars), or striving to be extra-popular by making huge parties. These are not from the movies, mostly news. I wonder if this is rare or not?

 

[TriflinThomas]

I take offense to the "like" thing, I don't know if it's a Cali thing but it's hard for me not to use it when I'm with my friends. I say fuck a lot, it's a versatile word. I sarcastically use popular catchphrases like "yolo" and shit like that.

 

[hurricanejane]

Coming from an American teenager- Yes! Not everyone talks like that, but very many teens do. All the things you described are very common, but never believe most things in movies or on tv about American teenagers, it's usually BS.

 

[intpz]

I take offense to the "like" thing, I don't know if it's a Cali thing but it's hard for me not to use it when I'm with my friends. I say fuck a lot, it's a versatile word. I sarcastically use popular catchphrases like "yolo" and shit like that.

It's an INTP forum, no offense should be taken by anyone for anything. Especially something like this...

The hell is "yolo?"

Coming from an American teenager- Yes! Not everyone talks like that, but very many teens do. All the things you described are very common, but never believe most things in movies or on tv about American teenagers, it's usually BS.

That's why I asked, I was wondering if I should believe the slang used in the movies. Mind you, I'm not asking about the parties, dancing or whatever is the latest "cool thing" in the social part of the world.

Could you perhaps give an approximate age range for this kind of... language?

P.S. If you guys have more examples, I'd gladly read them.

P.P.S. Is this kind of behavior widespread in the US (and maybe CA?), or is it just a few counties?

EDIT: Quote from "EDIT:" EDIT: One more thing - I've been reading a lot about those spoiled teens, mostly girls, who are unhappy with presents their parents give them (fancier cars), or striving to be extra-popular by making huge parties. These are not from the movies, mostly news. I wonder if this is rare or not?

 

[hurricanejane]

The hell is "yolo?"



That's why I asked, I was wondering if I should believe the slang used in the movies. Mind you, I'm not asking about the parties, dancing or whatever is the latest "cool thing" in the social part of the world.

Could you perhaps give an approximate age range for this kind of... language?

P.S. If you guys have more examples, I'd gladly read them.

P.P.S. Is this kind of behavior widespread in the US (and maybe CA?), or is it just a few counties?

EDIT: Quote from "EDIT:" EDIT: One more thing - I've been reading a lot about those spoiled teens, mostly girls, who are unhappy with presents their parents give them (fancier cars), or striving to be extra-popular by making huge parties. These are not from the movies, mostly news. I wonder if this is rare or not?

-Yolo means You Only Live Once, used in context like "I'm going to cut school this whole month... YOLO!" and usually in response "Stop fucking saying YOLO!"

-age range 13-16 but really depending on the person for how long it lasts

-more examples? um..... cant think of any right now.

-Widespread over the US? YES! Canada? I dont know.

-No! Most teen girls are not spoiled and ungrateful. There is a few teens who are super spoiled like this, but it is not normal! Yes, most girls would like to be more popular, but most dont have the money or the time to throw these huge parties you speak of.

 

[intpz]

I see. YOLO is annoying.

...16? I've expected something closer to 20-22. People around here are like that until they are out of college, at least.

 

[hurricanejane]

I see. YOLO is annoying.

...16? I've expected something closer to 20-22. People around here are like that until they are out of college, at least.

I cant see that, but the super annoying stuff (such as saying "like" in every sentence) usually wears off pretty quickly. I guess it really depends on the person and the clique.

 

[Cheeseumpuffs]

Extensively say "like:" "I'm like going to Joe's house, and he's like at the door, and we're like talking, and he like says that I'm like not on time. And I'm like why, and he's like "because I'm jacking off," and I'm like "ewww."

This is a bit exaggerated but yes, "like" is quite common and I actually do it myself more than I'd like.

Use idiotic expressions: "I'm so going there," "You really take the cake,"

More or less. The taking the cake one isn't so common but there are several equivalents. (I was once told that my shoes were "steezy." I haven't got a clue what that means but it sounded like a compliment)

Extensively use the word "fuck:" "Get me a fucking beer, will ya?" - says Joe's roommate when he's going to the kitchen.

Yes. Fuck is a teenager's favorite word. It's very rare for one of our kind to hold a conversation without using it at least once.

Extensively says "I mean" and "you know:" "Marge's cool, you know? I mean she's awesome... I mean... She cooks and cleans, you know? I mean... She's cool dude."

Yes.

EDIT: One more thing - I've been reading a lot about those spoiled teens, mostly girls, who are unhappy with presents their parents give them (fancier cars), or striving to be extra-popular by making huge parties. These are not from the movies, mostly news. I wonder if this is rare or not?

I've never noticed this but I really wouldn't be surprised.

Also if there's any doubt as to what YOLO is, remember this:

YOLO: Existentialism for the common folk.

 

[Trebuchet]

I hear a lot of "like" and "all," and not just from teens.

He was like, "Look at my new outfit," and we were all, "That's nice, whatever."

It doesn't have to introduce a direct quote. Often it indicates an attitude or mood. It is a versatile word.

Unless it gets very repetitive, it doesn't bother me. Some people do use "like" several times in a sentence, or every sentence, which is annoying. But occasional use is, like, just fine.

I also hear a lot of "I mean" and "you know," again not just from teens.

On the whole, teens that I meet (yes, in California) are able to switch quickly between formal speech and slangy dialect without getting confused. Most are not very spoiled, either. Around my area, they usually work at after-school jobs, and they tend to be friendly, polite, and kind to younger kids. Not all of them are so nice, but most are.

TV exaggerates. The news exaggerates even more.

 

[intpz]

Hm, even though I'm not a native-speaker, nor am I living in an English-speaking country, I can't stand those kind of "Extra" words.

 

[Meer]

Use idiotic expressions: "I'm so going there," "You really take the cake,"

How are these idiotic?

I've never really paid attention to these things, in Canada. I remember some teenage girls saying ELL OH ELL, though. I guess I'm more disturbed by people with trashy grammar.

 

[intpz]

Why say "I'm sooo going there" when you can say "I'm going there?" How is that logical? WHAT implication does the word "so" make? What's the difference between "so going" and "going?" Are you gonna go any differently if you're "so" going than if you are going? Are you gonna change your pace? Perhaps take a plane instead of a bus? Or a car instead of a bike? Or perhaps a horse instead a ship? How is that pointless and completely obsolete word make the sentence anymore compelling to read or hear? Should I go on? I think so too... And that's why I find it idiotic.

 

[TriflinThomas]

I hear a lot of "like" and "all," and not just from teens.

He was like, "Look at my new outfit," and we were all, "That's nice, whatever."

I'm guilty of this one. Sometimes I say "all like" ex: I was all like, "Really?"
And "Yeah, no." which I hear (and say) a lot more often than I'd like.

 

[EyeSeeCold]

Why say "I'm sooo going there" when you can say "I'm going there?" How is that logical? WHAT implication does the word "so" make? What's the difference between "so going" and "going?" Are you gonna go any differently if you're "so" going than if you are going? Are you gonna change your pace? Perhaps take a plane instead of a bus? Or a car instead of a bike? Or perhaps a horse instead a ship? How is that pointless and completely obsolete word make the sentence anymore compelling to read or hear? Should I go on? I think so too... And that's why I find it idiotic.

You're reading too much into it. It's just being expressive, it's not that big of a deal and not really idiotic.

 

[intpz]

Use variety of words (if you can't express yourself with words, perhaps you should take a dictionary and look up a synonym? Oh wait, there's no synonyms for "so") if you wanna be expressive, instead of repeating the same word 7 times in a 3-word sentence...

 

[EyeSeeCold]

Use variety of words (if you can't express yourself with words, perhaps you should take a dictionary and look up a synonym? Oh wait, there's no synonyms for "so") if you wanna be expressive, instead of repeating the same word 7 times in a 3-word sentence...

Why must expression be varied? In the end nobody really is saying much anyway.

Besides, I'd rather deal with someone who's simple in their vocabulary rather than someone who tries hard to seem eloquent. There's less of an ego barrier hindering communication and connection.

 

[Trebuchet]

Why say "I'm sooo going there" when you can say "I'm going there?" How is that logical? WHAT implication does the word "so" make? What's the difference between "so going" and "going?" Are you gonna go any differently if you're "so" going than if you are going? Are you gonna change your pace? Perhaps take a plane instead of a bus? Or a car instead of a bike? Or perhaps a horse instead a ship? How is that pointless and completely obsolete word make the sentence anymore compelling to read or hear? Should I go on? I think so too... And that's why I find it idiotic.

"I'm sooo going there" is different from "I'm going there." The addition of "so" shows enthusiasm for the destination, and also changes the tone of the phrase to be more musical. The vowel can get drawn out to show the degree of enthusiasm. It can also be used to show sarcasm or other emotions. I don't use that construction very often, but I have used it for humorous effect. When others use it, it doesn't really take up very much of my time to hear it. Would you prefer "I'm definitely going there" or "I'm excited to be going there"?

Where do you stand on lolspeak? "Oh noes!"

For me, language play feels like a quintessential INTP activity. I like puns, long words, obsolete words ("so" isn't obsolete, by the way), juxtaposing formal and informal elements, advocating for plural they, and learning things like what exactly makes a construction passive. I don't mind if someone's clear and polite language has a few extra words.

That isn't to say I don't get upset about any use of language. I am disgusted by the way the media uses soundbytes to limit debate, and the way scientific-sounding words are used to promote non-science. I don't put up with abusive language. People who say things in such a way as to avoid committing themselves truly irritate me. I also think elementary school teachers and children's television should use standard language in order to provide a good template for kids. I have lots of peeves. I guess we just peeve about different things.

 

[defghi]

"I'm so going there" usually means that you just want to go there, "I'm going there" means you are literally going to be in that location. If you asked the former when they were going to be there, they would have no idea, if you asked the latter they would have a specific time period in mind.

Anyways, to answer your original question- yes, human beings use idioms and slang in language.

 

[intpz]

Why must expression be varied? In the end nobody really is saying much anyway.

Besides, I'd rather deal with someone who's simple in their vocabulary rather than someone who tries hard to seem eloquent. There's less of an ego barrier hindering communication and connection.

I didn't say that I want idiots to start talking like that, I've known a case like this. He was really dumb, and yet he was trying to use fancy words. It was hilarious to listen to him... Later I got bored and told him that I'm bored and that most of what he says is bullshit based on emotions and mass media instead of facts. he got angry and said that kids these days are rude, have no respect for anything and and getting stupid. He also asked what has happened to me.

"I'm sooo going there" is different from "I'm going there." The addition of "so" shows enthusiasm for the destination, and also changes the tone of the phrase to be more musical. The vowel can get drawn out to show the degree of enthusiasm. It can also be used to show sarcasm or other emotions. I don't use that construction very often, but I have used it for humorous effect. When others use it, it doesn't really take up very much of my time to hear it. Would you prefer "I'm definitely going there" or "I'm excited to be going there"?

Whichever one of those two is okay, however "so," this word doesn't fit there. It's like saying "I'm really going there" or "I'm very going there..." Screams shows emotion - ever seen someone screaming like a little girl? Do you like that? I don't. It goes right through my ears. Pretty much because of that though, so it's a little different perhaps.

Where do you stand on lolspeak? "Oh noes!"

I find it stupid and I hate when someone uses it.

For me, language play feels like a quintessential INTP activity. I like puns, long words, obsolete words ("so" isn't obsolete, by the way), juxtaposing formal and informal elements, advocating for plural they, and learning things like what exactly makes a construction passive. I don't mind if someone's clear and polite language has a few extra words.

Sure, I love language play, but I believe that there should be a part about "intelligent" language play. I don't find my examples to be too intelligent, rather dumbing. I guess if I'd lived in the US and watched TV or listened to people talk, I'd start using some of them myself occasionally. On the other hand, I've never used anything similar to this in my language, even though everybody around me speaks like that. However, I'm always trying to seem dumber when talking to my family members, otherwise there's a "smart-ass" title for me to take. And they don't like people different from them. Damn SJs.

That isn't to say I don't get upset about any use of language. I am disgusted by the way the media uses soundbytes to limit debate, and the way scientific-sounding words are used to promote non-science. I don't put up with abusive language. People who say things in such a way as to avoid committing themselves truly irritate me. I also think elementary school teachers and children's television should use standard language in order to provide a good template for kids. I have lots of peeves. I guess we just peeve about different things.

I do have lots of negative opinion about these things as well, though I'm not sure what you mean by abusive language. if you mean words like "a cripple" instead of "physically disabled person," then I instead have a problem with the latter.

"I'm so going there" usually means that you just want to go there, "I'm going there" means you are literally going to be in that location. If you asked the former when they were going to be there, they would have no idea, if you asked the latter they would have a specific time period in mind.

Anyways, to answer your original question- yes, human beings use idioms and slang in language.

I don't mind slangs and idioms either, but I do mind stupidity, which is what I see when I hear someone using 10 extra words in a sentence. Words like "fuck" can be used to emphasize something, but using it too much isn't good, for example.
And actually I see the so as excitement and certainty, while the latter as just a plain expression. For example, I would include "probably" or something like that if I was to say that I'm likely to go there, and if I was certain that I'm going there, I'd just say the plain sentence, the latter example of yours. If I would've wanted to go there, I'd say "I'd like to go there" or "it'd be awesome to go there," etc.. Under no circumstances "I'm so going there."

 

[inner_mind]

I'm not sure but I thought the use of slang vs formal languages was pretty much universal, with different usage for different countries of course. Your country doesn't have slang?

In my country we say 'fuck' a lot, it is definately not a teenage thing, it's an everyperson thing pretty much.

Mostly the reason I responded was this:

if you mean words like "a cripple" instead of "physically disabled person," then I instead have a problem with the latter.

Why oh why? I find this 'pc' language very useful. It makes it easy to differentiate between 'I'm talking about a disabled person with full respect intended' as opposed to whether your intentions are disrespectful.

Then I don't have to add 'not that there is anything wrong with that' every time I talk about some group of people. I can just have the conversation.

I have a bigger problem with words like 'collateral damage'.

 

[intpz]

Yes, most people around here say "fuck" and "pussy" a lot, I've never gotten into that. In fact, there wasn't a single conversation or a sentence when I used those words in over 20 years. Probably because they came from Russian language, nor ours.

Because they mask the meaning and soften the language, and because most people get angry when you use those, so considered, offensive, words. I believe that the important thing is what you mean, not if the word is considered offensive by most people. Unfortunately, sensors don't seem to understand the difference in one's tone of voice or body language... Not a single family member of mine understands neither of those things. If I accidentally am being sarcastic, they ask me what I mean, or just take what I said literally... That's annoying...

 

[defghi]

I don't mind slangs and idioms either, but I do mind stupidity, which is what I see when I hear someone using 10 extra words in a sentence. Words like "fuck" can be used to emphasize something, but using it too much isn't good, for example.
And actually I see the so as excitement and certainty, while the latter as just a plain expression. For example, I would include "probably" or something like that if I was to say that I'm likely to go there, and if I was certain that I'm going there, I'd just say the plain sentence, the latter example of yours. If I would've wanted to go there, I'd say "I'd like to go there" or "it'd be awesome to go there," etc.. Under no circumstances "I'm so going there."

You're thinking of "I'm so going there" as a literal expression, and it's not really used that way (at least here, but I'm in California and we're speaking of Hollywood). Another is "I'm totally going there"; the whole point is that you aren't using a literal adverb, because you aren't speaking literally. It's used to express a desire to go there, or a sarcastic desire. If you were speaking literally you would say "I'm actually going there" (or any of your suggestions really).

Of course, there's no denying that it's not the most straightforward use of language- if we were robots, it would be "I want to go there" and "I'm going there" and nothing else, but that's just not the way people talk. I don't want to sound like I'm in support of it- it really is retarded, but this is what it is and why it is what it is.

 

[intpz]

You're thinking of "I'm so going there" as a literal expression, and it's not really used that way (at least here, but I'm in California and we're speaking of Hollywood). Another is "I'm totally going there"; the whole point is that you aren't using a literal adverb, because you aren't speaking literally. It's used to express a desire to go there, or a sarcastic desire. If you were speaking literally you would say "I'm actually going there" (or any of your suggestions really).

Of course, there's no denying that it's not the most straightforward use of language- if we were robots, it would be "I want to go there" and "I'm going there" and nothing else, but that's just not the way people talk. I don't want to sound like I'm in support of it- it really is retarded, but this is what it is and why it is what it is.

Yea well, I don't like it and it sounds idiotic. Despite it's meaning, and I do get it's meaning, but since it sounds idiotic...

Anyway, that IS how people talk, that's why we're arguing here. I don't see why you've said what you said in your second column. I dislike that kind of use of language...

 

[EditorOne]

"or striving to be extra-popular by making huge parties. These are not from the movies, mostly news. I wonder if this is rare or not? "

Long ago a debutante party was an upper social crust kind of thing, marking the time when a young woman had reached an age to have a social life as an adult rather than as a child; kind of a "presenting Jillian to her social and economic peers," sometimes informally called a "coming-out party." In some areas this became a debutante ball, with groups of young ladies "inducted" simultaneously in one giant luxurious party. The trappings of wealth and high-faluting-ness have since trickled down, with a new designation in this area at least, a 'Sweet Sixteen' party. Sometimes these are quite pretentious and ostentatious, sometimes just a happy, friendly party, but yes, it seems to have caught on. As a rite-of-passage thing it would be more or less benign, but of course some people have a vicious competitive streak and there seems to be some element of one-upsmanship in play quite often.
I'm speaking as just a distant observer. Never had a daughter, so skipped this. :-)

 

[Trebuchet]

Sure, I love language play, but I believe that there should be a part about "intelligent" language play.

Like what? What makes language play intelligent, or not intelligent? That is a very interesting comment.

I do have lots of negative opinion about these things as well, though I'm not sure what you mean by abusive language. if you mean words like "a cripple" instead of "physically disabled person," then I instead have a problem with the latter.

Basically I just mean anyone abusing me, or people I care about. For example, I object to threats and insults. (Once two people followed me in my car and then got out and screamed at me, because I didn't make a right turn on red fast enough for them, due to heavy traffic. I probably slowed them down by 20 seconds at most. They yelled, "I'm going to push your fucking car off the road! How would you like that, you stupid fucking cow?" I sooo found this abusive and an inappropriate use of language. ) Certainly pejorative language, if it is meant to hurt someone, is abusive. There are contexts where it is not abusive.

I don't mind slangs and idioms either, but I do mind stupidity, which is what I see when I hear someone using 10 extra words in a sentence.

To me, stupidity in language comes from speaking (or writing) without thinking. Soundbytes and clichés are ways of speaking without thinking. Managementspeak, which prefers "utilize" when "use" is a better word, and incorporates such phrases as "step up to the plate when the bullets are flying" to describe responding to a tight deadline, is much worse to me than someone who uses some extra words.

I'd just say the plain sentence, the latter example of yours. If I would've wanted to go there, I'd say "I'd like to go there" or "it'd be awesome to go there," etc.. Under no circumstances "I'm so going there."

Fair enough, but there are different styles and dialects, and I don't understand why you would be so angry about someone whose word choice doesn't match yours. It sounds to me like you simply have a hard time suffering fools, and see such speech markers as indicators of fools. I used to believe that, but I found them to be less correlated than I thought.

Seriously, I am interested to know what you consider intelligent wordplay.

 

[RubberDucky451]

"I mean" "you know" and "like" are filler words. If I ever use an "I mean" it's to give myself extra time to think of the next word.

Dude, man and bro are very popular words in CA. It's just slang, and like all slang, some people will look down on you for using such words.

 

[Dapper Dan]

To answer your questions, yes, most of these things are pretty common, and not just among teens. They've become accepted parts of informal speech, so you might as well get used to it. I mean, it's been like 10 years since I've heard anyone complain about people using "like" to much, you know?

Granted, some people are legitimately annoying when they speak. I find it has more to do with their tone, though. One of my coworkers has the worst vocal fry/valley girl combo I've ever heard. IN INDIANA. I can live with a certain amount of either of those things, but this girl uses vocal fry for at least 75% of her speech. Thank the Lord for headphones.

Another of my coworkers (first girl's boss, actually) does use "like" way too much. But it's mostly just because she has trouble clearly verbalizing what she means. So she often ends up saying "like..." and then trailing off or starting another sentence.

 

[EditorOne]

Coals to Newcastle with my next comment, I suspect, but it might move things along: Some of the twisted meanings and new in-context meanings for words and phrases is a teenage identity thing. Seems like each generation has its own words and phrases that mean something to them but appear to be nonsense to older generations. A kind of mild separation of "us" and "everybody else." My parents referred to things which were exceptionally special or enjoyable as "the bees' knees." The kids right ahead of me used "peachy keen" a lot to refer to their status and condition, not literally, but meaning they were in a good, happy state of mind. My generation might say "I'm digging it" to indicate satisfactory engagement with a rock band performance, a crowded park, or a car ride. For awhile Valley Girl talk was much mocked, especially the "Gag me with a spoon!" to indicate extreme level of disgust with something. "He was like 300 pounds and walking around naked before the cops got there and I was, like, OK, gag me with a spoon why doncha?" And now, or recently, when a younger person refers to something as "sick" it means it is"the bees knees." And of course "coals to Newcastle" actually meant something in the 1800s when that phrase came up.
None of it is worth getting in a twist, it's just a kind of group self delineation.