To be or not to be, that’s like the question

Those of us who love language and the possibilities for its creative use have, I fear, lost the battle.   The horribly inappropriate use of the word “like” has slithered and crawled into conversation, a vermin totally resistant to all weapons.

Older generations have traditionally resisted changes to the lexicon by upstarts, but this is different because it’s lazy talk.  “I’m going to see my friend” is a statement of genuine intent, the beginning of action.  “I’m, like, going to see my friend” means ” I may do something close to going to see my friend, but I really don’t have to care what I do or say”.

I would prefer a stream of profanity to this virtual poison.  But we have lost.  I realized that a while back when I heard a teacher of English at my alma mater, Thacher, use it.