Why does just about everyone who is interviewed on TV start their answer like that? “Yeah, I mean…” (then comes their answer). It seems to be a built-in part of starting a sentence in English; maybe other languages too, IDK. Is “Yeah, I mean” the language equivalent of our “Have a nice day,” as departing words with someone? I’m guessing probably 90% of goodbyes end with that automatic phrase, whether it’s in person or on the phone. Like you have any real control over whether your day will be nice. 😉 Still, the sentiment seems cordial. Ya gotta give it that. “So,…” is also a sentence starter. So (short pause)... then comes the answer. I think “So” is the new version of the old “Well, … ” Then there’s the fastly rattled off “No-yeah, I mean….” Or its reverse, the “Yeah-no,” if the opposite feelings are felt about the question. Talk about covering your bases! Genius. 😁 Are these (what I’d call) “automatic phrases” now just a given part of the English lexicon? The language zei