Americans are, like, so totally over how we speak—but can we actually stop using filler words?
Filler words have become so common in everyday conversation that most of us hardly notice them until someone points them out. According to a new study by Preply, a global online language learning platform, Americans are becoming increasingly self-conscious about their speech habits. Google searches for “filler words” have shot up 144% in the last month alone.
This insecurity has even sparked a viral online trend. With the “no filler words trend,” Americans are challenging one another to record themselves speaking for 30 seconds to a minute without using those dreaded words.
### The History of Filler Words
Filler words aren’t new. Linguists trace their rise back to the mid-20th century, when spontaneous conversation began to dominate public life—from radio broadcasts to casual office meetings. Over time, these verbal crutches spread into nearly every corner of communication, fueled by pop culture, social media, and regional slang.
In the 1980s, California’s “Valley Girl” dialect cemented “like” as the go-to hesitation word of an entire generation. Then came “so,” the tech-era transition word that’s now as common in boardrooms as in brunch conversations.
By 2024, according to Preply’s national survey, 98% of Americans admit to using filler words regularly. “Um,” “so,” and “like” were the top three offenders across the country. California led the nation in “like” usage—no surprise there—while 34 states most often paused with “um.”
“It’s okay to pause rather than fill gaps in speech with words like ‘um,’ ‘like,’ or ‘so,’” experts say.
### Beyond Filler Words: Other Common Speech Habits
Besides filler words, Americans reported other common quirks: talking too fast, over-apologizing, and yes, swearing too much. A quarter of respondents admitted to “talking too much,” and mumbling ranked high among the most annoying habits to hear in others.
These habits can sometimes work together. “When we speak too quickly, we tend to use more filler words. By slowing down, we give ourselves more time to find the right word or phrase and reduce the need for fillers,” said Johnson, a language expert.
### Embracing Linguistic Identity
Not all speech quirks are viewed negatively. More than 80% of people with accents or regional dialects said they’re proud of them, Preply reported. Additionally, half of those who’ve lived in a new region or country said they don’t try to change the way they speak to fit in—embracing their linguistic identity.
### The Impact of Speech Habits
However, people aren’t always loud and proud about their speech. The study found that Americans feel their speech habits affect both their careers and relationships. Many worry about being judged for their language quirks, especially in professional settings.
About 74% of Americans believe speech habits affect their career prospects, while only 43% say these habits have impacted their dating or relationships. Not surprisingly, it’s those closest to us—romantic partners, friends, and parents—who are most likely to correct someone’s grammar or pronunciation.
“Improving speech habits is a journey and not an overnight process. Be patient with yourself and celebrate the progress you make, however small it may seem!” Johnson advised.
### Ready to Break Up with “Um” and “Like”?
If you’re ready to reduce your use of filler words, here are a few expert-backed strategies to get started:
[Insert strategies/tips here]
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By becoming more aware and practicing mindful speech, you can improve how you communicate—and maybe even win the “no filler words” challenge!
https://nypost.com/2025/10/28/lifestyle/americans-are-trying-to-eliminate-like-and-um-from-the-lexicon/