Have you noticed? At first I thought it was just the 'valley girl' thing; the college girls, the 20-somethings, but now it seems wherever you go, no matter the age or even now the gender, people are talking in that annoying question mark tone?

Overheard at work:
So, I was walking with a friend of mine? and she needed to get something out of her car? so as we were walking we noticed this guy looking kinda funny in the parking lot? and...

well, you get the point. I even noticed some of the the NEWS CASTERS doing that! Drives me nuts!!!

What do you think? (question mark appropriate! LOL)

-- Modified on 3/31/2005 5:43:31 PM

like? what are you talking about? You are weird?

Jorja Fox on CSI (see link)

It used to be called "up-toning," and it certainly is not new. Linguists see it expanding in the US,  especially in young women expressing insecurity or a need for validation.

It's also a way of letting your listener know you consider it important for them to be following your point, and implicitly giving permission to interrupt for clarification.

It's just lame after awhile, and people use it as a crutch. Unimaginative.

Could we BE any more goofy??

-- Modified on 3/31/2005 9:42:30 PM

-- Modified on 3/31/2005 9:43:42 PM

I just start continually interrupting With"Are you asking me or telling me?" until they get the point.