Lately, in my daily conversations, I've noticed myself using the word more often than I would prefer. Especially when describing things. Has anyone here been sucked into this? I'm not sure where I picked it up, TV maybe... I used to do very well at using other ways to explain things without the word "like" unless it was a very appropriate use of the word.

Anyone?

Also, if you're so inclined, some good alternatives to the word would be appreciated.

(I know, I need to :eng101:)

If you're, like, saying it just like the first and third uses in this, like, sentence, then there is no alternative, just stop doing it.

I don't use the word "like" in the valley-girl send of the word (like sab did).

As an alternative to "like" I use "as if," "as though," "similar to" and "along the lines of." I also say "kind of like."

I've recently read somewhere from professional Linguist, that the word "like" is useful in language.

I like fried Spam. It tastes like salty bacon.

I think I do that all the time.

The Finnequivalent is "niinku" which pretty much means "like a/an" but now it's just thrown around. Mmh.

I use "like" in the valley girl sense as a sort of flavouring particle, similar to what German has. I don't consider this to be wrong or poor language.

This. I'm not excessive about it, I just do it.

We (parkour friends) played a game for a while where everytime you use the word "can't," "impossible," or "never," you had to do 10 pushups. (Supposed to enforce a positive mind)

We added "like" to the list and immediately got slaughtered by pushups - but now at least I'm aware of when I'm saying it.

I catch myself using it sometimes as well (in the ****ty sense of the word). It pisses me off and I must stop. Men should not sound like teenage girls.

Like, who gives a ****.

There's a $5 fine for every unnecessary use of the word like used by someone in my house.

Chances are, I don't like them anyways if they are using it.

So either they get kicked the **** out, or pay me.

I do something similar with the people I supervise. My department exists to serve other departments, and, as such, we are often out on calls and somewhat pushed around. I tell my employees that we never say "no" or "we can't do that." We say "we can do that, but..." or "we can do that, if..."

The "but" and "if" are usually followed by "...you give us two weeks notice" or "it will cost $xx,000 to rent/buy ABC equipment."

If I catch them outright saying "no" or "we can't do that" and being turds about it, they have to bring a box of doughnuts for that other department the next Friday.

Our reputation with the rest of the staff and interactions have gotten a lot better.

Well at least your not using "Like" like I did when I was a teen in the 80's. I will admit I did communicate on a lower level that was comparable to Keanu Reeves. "Its LIKE Woah!" or an occasional "Dude!, Thats LIKE f**king Gnarly!" The only thing that irritated me was the Valley Girl "aaaahh....maaa.....gaaaad!" thing, other than that most of the slang never bothered me.

You sound like a fun guy.

So, if I'm understanding you right, you want words that are like like? ;p

Depends on how you want to sound "similar" should be fairly acceptable where as "akin" might make you sound too intellectual wannabe. There's also "Comparable to" and so on.
But really, if the word like is used correctly, it's fine.
You've probably found yourself falling back on the word like because it's a good one. It probably helps get your point across quicker and easier then the other words. It would only make you sound bad if you talked like saberopus was, in which case take her advice.

SERIOUS BUSINESS

My girlfriend tends to do the hold "lliiikkeee...." thing. Hasn't started to mug me yet.

I do this, but with swear words in place of 'like,' which has a useful place in my grammar reserved for it.

If you are using a word in place of a swear word, then that new word is a swear word.

Wow this thread turned out better than I expected hah. Thanks for the alternatives!

Like, no problem man!

This sounds like a good basis for a drinking game...

Similar: I hate when people use the phrase "I feel like ..." in place of "I think that ..."

makes perfect sense and is just fine...

lets break it down
I = the person talking obviously
feel = think, believe, etc...
like = as if, as though, that, etc...

i feel like ass

there's also that context for "i feel like"

as well as "i feel like going home"