It’s a form of verbal punctuation
this post was submitted on 06 Sep 2026
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Um, like, no?
I'm always annoyed by the term lowkey, because in music, low key means lower pitch, and not low in volume. It's essentially bass, and my brain cannot comprehend how it could mean what it's supposed to mean.
Why use more word when less word work
More word sometimes make talk pretty and precise, but sometimes opposite. Words hard :(
Filler words carry meaning, even if they don't have specific definitions in context. Like, "like" has a dictionary definition, but if you use it as, like, a filler word, you aren't using that definition (necessarily), but it still conveys something about how the speaker is thinking. They don't just pop up in speech at random. I like catching them and trying to interpret why speakers insert them where they do.
Like, "lowkey" is ~~usually~~* sometimes used to soften harsh language e.g. "I'm lowkey gonna murder Sarah if she doesn't stop chewing her gum with her mouth open". Kinda how "kinda" works as a filler to tone down whatever is being said. I don't actually want to murder Sarah, I just kinda want to murder her. I don't even know if I would call them "proper filler words" in the same sense that "like" is, since they do have a particular function that "like" as a filler lacks. More research is needed it seems.
For me, I let 'em fly. If I had to deliver a speech I would probably include fewer than I usually use in casual conversation, but I don't hold with the rule that they're strictly to be avoided. I think they're neat.
* edit: I just know how I've heard it used, I have no idea how it's usually used. I'm lowkey not in the lowkey demographic.
I'm lowkey literally gonna murder Sarah.
Lowkey slay.
No, I mean I don't use them needlessly or whatever. I kinda use them to sorta let my thoughts buffer.
I mean like it's kinda like fuck man like you know like it's kinda sorta like fuck man like fuck you know man like sorta kinda like fuck man like fuck man you know like it's kinda like-
I like, had like a serious like problem with like filler words, like as a 90s kid in like SoCal, but like, I've mostly like overcome it
For some reason, I have an incredibly difficult time not saying like.
I bet if there were a word cloud of mymost commonly used words of all of my posts, "like" would be the sun in my fucking word solar system.
This is super common on the west coast of Canada (and I assume the United States as well.) Most of my friends from there say it constantly.
Filler words are normal, and every language has them.
I use "umm... " and "uuuh..." to let my thoughts buffer when I talk.
I would like to think I don't use filler words but this is a good opportunity for some self reflection. Thank you.
I sometimes correct zoomers if something is actually high key.