So.

So, when and why did it become acceptable to prefix any comment, remark or response with the word so?

I watched the TV news this evening and a couple of nobodies were being interviewed about something so tedious I didn't register the topic, but what did become apparent was the prevalence of "so."

Interviewer. "So, how long have you been doing this?"
Male so-ist, "So, about five years or so."
Female so-ist. "So, yeah, yeah about five years."
Interviewer. "So, is this something that you feel driven by, is it a calling?"
Male so-ist. "So, we can't really imagine ourselves doing anything else now, it's so totally involving."
Female so-ist. "It so is."

I have no strong views on the word 'so,' it's inoffensive enough if used in the right place but there are many other inoffensive words such as fetid, wombat or flange. Would we start every response with these, I would suggest not, unless we want people to look at us like complete retards.

Mrs HA. "Do you like this perfume?"
Me. "Fetid, yeah it's great."
Mrs HA. Punch.


Mrs HA. "Do these jeans suit me."
Me. "Flange, yes fine love."
Mrs HA ???????

I realise it's only one of lifes minor irritations, but it's SO feckin annoying, and it's seeping in everywhere. I swear Harry Kane started a sentence in an interview recently with the s word.

If you know a so-ist try to help them, I find a swift kick in the plums each time they offend brings surprisingly quick results.

So-ism, stamp it out, name and shame them.