There's a lot to dislike about 'like'

The word "like" is too often overused in everyday conversation. At first, I thought it was only, like, a youth generated fad that would, like, soon disappear. I was, like, wrong.

Years ago, I cautioned my daughter (before she entered law school) that a judge may frown on a plea of "My client is, like, not guilty."

Since then, misusage like this has only grown worse.

Recently, I overheard a young lady describe her boyfriend as "Acting like …" Acting like what? Until we develop a form of mental telepathy, sentences should, like, not end in an adverb.

While writing this, I realize I also overused the word "like." Perhaps that's my point. It's, like, annoying, isn't it?

Don Mueller

Hoffman Estates