Christopher Hitchens analyses the use of "like" as a filler word (single link Vanity Fair). Short version: "Clueless" started it, and the general Californication of the American spoken language. African American kids say "nome sane" instead of "like". Hitchens compares the use of "like" to intoning declarative sentences as questions, also called uptalk. Like, "I go to Columbia? The University?" [more inside]
posted by NekulturnY on Jan 20, 2010 - 320 comments

Flash Friday: Filler. Fill the 2/3 of the available space using as few spheres as possible while avoiding the bouncing balls.
posted by ooga_booga on Feb 1, 2008 - 34 comments

Straight from the Department of Things Everybody But Me Probably Knew About Two Years Ago, it was only yesterday that I discovered the mind-boggling usefulness of the Amazon Filler Item Finder, which allows you to enter the exact price of the item you need to pad your order up to $25.00 for free shipping. Happy postage-free holidays. [more inside]
posted by XQUZYPHYR on Dec 4, 2007 - 54 comments