General articles about Credible on a variety of topics related to communication skills, public speaking tips, career advice, and more.
Without Having To Tell Them at StopSayingLike.com In today’s fast-paced world, effective communication is more important than ever. Whether you’re a student, professional, or simply someone striving to improve their speaking skills, reducing the use of filler words like “like,” “um,” and “uh” can make a big difference. Introducing StopSayingLike.com, a unique and thoughtful way … Read more
The “like” trend has its roots in the 1970s, originating in a dialect called Valleyspeak in California’s San Fernando Valley. It was characterized by excessive use of “like” as a filler word, replacing “says” with “goes,” and frequent use of “I mean.” While its usage has become more widespread across age groups, overusing “like” is … Read more
The word “like” has a wide range of meanings, from expressing attraction to comparing two things. Originally, there were only two meanings of the word: the Old English verb “to feel attracted towards” and the Old English adjective “similar to.” However, over time, four more meanings of the word have emerged. One way the filler … Read more
In 1982, Frank Zappa, known for his unconventional music and social commentary, released a song that unexpectedly became his only Top 40 hit: “Valley Girl.” The song, featuring his then-14-year-old daughter, Moon Unit Zappa, took aim at the stereotypical speech patterns and materialism associated with California’s San Fernando Valley teenagers and the excessive use of … Read more
Effective communication is a key skill of success. One very common issue that often impedes clear and concise communication is the use of filler words. These seemingly innocuous verbal crutches, such as “um,” “uh,” “like,” “basically,” and “you know,” can diminish the impact of your message and undermine your credibility as a speaker. The first … Read more
