How to Sound Smarter than You Are

Rush Hour by Konstantin Seleznev

Approximately, like, six months ago, I, like, read the transcription of a friend's, like, audio message to me. Over and over, I was struck by, like, the word "like." Now, like, don't get me wrong, I use the word "like," like, all the time. In fact, one of my, like, New Year's resolutions for 2026 is to stop using the word "like," because I've realized that it really, like, annoys me when I, like, overuse it. 

If you were reading a textbook or an academic paper, it wouldn't include the word "like." It might not even include contractions. Why? Because these are formal pieces of writing, and thus call for professionalism and clarity. Even a regular novel, however, will not include the word "like" as a filler word, except maybe for the purpose of characterization within specific lines of dialogue. 

Really, there isn't any place where the word "like," or other filler words like "um" and "and so," actually belong. In debates, lectures, and literature, we avoid using filler words. So why do they pop up so frequently in everyday conversation? 

The point of a filler word is just that: To fill empty space. When there is a lull in the conversation or in our own speech, we feel the need to fill it. I think this is in part because we are uncomfortable with silence. We live in an era that is so loud. It is filled with constant noise, from our phones, from our schools, and from our jobs. The concept of silence is practically non-existent in modern American culture. To have silence in conversation, therefore, is not a comfortable place to be. Especially for those of us who express our love through conversing, silence sometimes feels like a slap in the face.

But silence itself is actually a good thing. Silence, much like rest, gives us space to think and to reset. To have silence is to allow our thoughts to be loud. This is scary for lots of people, especially those who are not used to giving themselves time to think or who are uncomfortable with their thoughts. Extended periods of silence are where creative ideas spur from. Short periods of silence allow us just enough time to figure out what we want to say. When we don't take this second of silence before speaking, and instead jump right into our response in conversation, we are starting our sentence with a thought that is still in the process of being developed. To continue that sentence, we have to slow down and think, but in that pause, we don't want to stop speaking altogether, so we add in a filler word.

I would argue that while filler words are understandably used, people sound more intelligent when they don't use them. Filler words are used primarily because we didn't think before speaking, and deep down, we all know this. Our communication is clearer and more effective when we take time to think, which cuts out the need for filler words. Likewise, even if we don't think before speaking, neglecting to use filler words causes us to speak more slowly to give ourselves time to process, which allows more time both for us to figure out our sentence and for others to absorb what we're saying. Overall, while I myself still use filler words, I want to stop, because I think it makes the delivery of what you're saying far more impactful and deliberate when you don't add unnecessary phrases. 

Likewise, I think swearing makes people sound unintelligent. Obviously, we live in a country that has free speech. People are allowed to use whatever words they want. However, in my personal opinion, using disrespectful or vulgar language in a conversation shows that you don't respect the person you're speaking to enough to monitor your speech and tone, and can lead to the implication that you don't have a wide enough vocabulary to make your point without depending on swearing. This is not to say that people who swear are unintelligent; I know some very smart people who also swear. It is to say, however, that you receive more respect from people when you don't swear, and it makes you sound more intelligent, regardless of where your intellect actually lies.

Your words carry so much more power than you know. The way you use them impacts not only the people you speak to, but the way they perceive you and your message. I would argue that if you want people to listen to what you have to say, being more intentional about the way you speak is one of the best ways to do that.