Filler words serve important cognitive and social functions, but you can rein them in when it matters.

If you take that to a larger, regional scale, you get things like the Valley girl accent, which is created by cultural comfort with certain filler words. “The way we use language changes from speaker ...

Are too many filler words detracting from your message when you give presentations or pitch investors or customers? Punctuating your message with words and phrases such as “um,” “uh,” “you know,” ...

(CNN) — As someone who’s originally from Southern California and now lives in the South, it’s not uncommon for me to get Valley girl comments. I have a habit of throwing in a quick “you know, like” or ...

Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights. Scott Hutcheson teaches leadership at Purdue University. Filler words like “um,” “uh,” “like,” and “you know” are more than just ...

(CNN) — As someone who’s originally from Southern California and now lives in the South, it’s not uncommon for me to get Valley girl comments. I have a habit of throwing in a quick “you know, like” or ...

Phrases such as ‘you know’ and ‘I think’ can weaken your message. Are too many filler words detracting from your message when you give presentations or pitch investors or customers? Punctuating your ...