Australian Politics Forum - Here's a theory, knock it down.

bogarde73

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Here's a theory, knock it down.
Sep 11^th, 2014 at 10:15am

The fad for the upward inflection - at the end of a phrase or sentence - came into use, what, about 20 years ago, or was it less than that?
No matter. Whatever Gen it was that took to it, they've sort of grown up with it and for many of them it has stuck.

Now here's the theory. Not all that important, just another one of those little things that fill your day.

I think that the upward inflection is like a question mark after the statement. It's a hesitant sort of search for support. In other words, "I'm saying this but I need to know you all agree with me" kind of request.
But why is Gen whatever so lacking in confidence that it needs to follow everything it says with a cry for approval?
Is this a product of the world of political correctness?

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greggerypeccary Gold Member Offline Australian Politics Posts: 139422 Gender:	Re: Here's a theory, knock it down. Reply #1 - Sep 11^th, 2014 at 10:23am
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cods

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Re: Here's a theory, knock it down.
Reply #2 - Sep 11^th, 2014 at 10:29am

bogarde73 wrote on Sep 11^th, 2014 at 10:15am:

The fad for the upward inflection - at the end of a phrase or sentence - came into use, what, about 20 years ago, or was it less than that?
No matter. Whatever Gen it was that took to it, they've sort of grown up with it and for many of them it has stuck.

Now here's the theory. Not all that important, just another one of those little things that fill your day.

I think that the upward inflection is like a question mark after the statement. It's a hesitant sort of search for support. In other words, "I'm saying this but I need to know you all agree with me" kind of request.
But why is Gen whatever so lacking in confidence that it needs to follow everything it says with a cry for approval?
Is this a product of the world of political correctness?

and canned laughter doesnt do it for me either....

but its trivial really by todays standards..

it used to be a thing with 4 year olds.. WHY? m aybe we do look for approval at every turn... strewth wouldnt want to come on a forum like this then would you?

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The Heartless Felon

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Re: Here's a theory, knock it down.
Reply #3 - Sep 11^th, 2014 at 10:50am

bogarde73 wrote on Sep 11^th, 2014 at 10:15am:

The fad for the upward inflection - at the end of a phrase or sentence - came into use, what, about 20 years ago, or was it less than that?
No matter. Whatever Gen it was that took to it, they've sort of grown up with it and for many of them it has stuck.

Now here's the theory. Not all that important, just another one of those little things that fill your day.

I think that the upward inflection is like a question mark after the statement. It's a hesitant sort of search for support. In other words, "I'm saying this but I need to know you all agree with me" kind of request.
But why is Gen whatever so lacking in confidence that it needs to follow everything it says with a cry for approval?
Is this a product of the world of political correctness?

It's been around for a long, long time Bogy, it's called the "Rising Interrogative".

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ImSpartacus2 Gold Member Offline Australian Politics Posts: 6913	Re: Here's a theory, knock it down. Reply #4 - Sep 11^th, 2014 at 11:00am One thing I think I have noticed in raising my kids is that the later generations are a lot more peer dependent then we ever were and that may be why their search for approval in their language may be more prominent. Just guessing you understand.
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Laugh till you cry Gold Member Offline Posts: 16619 In your happy place Gender:	Re: Here's a theory, knock it down. Reply #5 - Sep 11^th, 2014 at 11:20am Its the closet pom gene emerging causing serfs to seek to mentally prostrate themselves in front of others hoping a master will emerge from the flock.
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Lord Herbert

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Re: Here's a theory, knock it down.
Reply #6 - Sep 11^th, 2014 at 11:33am

Yes, the old Interrogative Erection at the end of every sentence, but.

I think it was teachers who introduced this upwards inflection when they would make a statement, with raised eye-brows and a searching look around the class, as though to say "OK? All agreed with that?"

***

Incredibly, I actually have a cat that will call to me from another room with a normal "Meow .... meow?" a couple of times (ie "Where are you?") ... and if I don't answer, she'll then upward inflect the next "Meow?" just like a human.

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« Last Edit: Sep 11^th, 2014 at 11:39am by Lord Herbert »

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bogarde73 Gold Member Offline Anti-Global & Contra Mundum Posts: 18443 Gender:	Re: Here's a theory, knock it down. Reply #7 - Sep 11^th, 2014 at 1:15pm Well that's another possibility . . .we got it from cats.
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Lobo Gold Member Offline Australian Politics Posts: 7407 Sydney Gender:	Re: Here's a theory, knock it down. Reply #8 - Sep 11^th, 2014 at 3:29pm I can remember it back in the '50s in Primary School. If a kid was giving an answer s/he was not sure of, the answer always came out sounding like a question. One teacher even used to ask if that 'answer was followed by a ?mark, or an !mark.....'
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longweekend58

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Re: Here's a theory, knock it down.
Reply #9 - Sep 11^th, 2014 at 3:36pm

bogarde73 wrote on Sep 11^th, 2014 at 10:15am:

The fad for the upward inflection - at the end of a phrase or sentence - came into use, what, about 20 years ago, or was it less than that?
No matter. Whatever Gen it was that took to it, they've sort of grown up with it and for many of them it has stuck.

Now here's the theory. Not all that important, just another one of those little things that fill your day.

I think that the upward inflection is like a question mark after the statement. It's a hesitant sort of search for support. In other words, "I'm saying this but I need to know you all agree with me" kind of request.
But why is Gen whatever so lacking in confidence that it needs to follow everything it says with a cry for approval?
Is this a product of the world of political correctness?

as I am older than 20 I can confirm that the rising interrogative has been part of language for a lot longer than that - perhaps since the dawn of time. I don't really get the point of your post.

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John Smith Gold Member Offline Australian Politics Posts: 75137 Gender:	Re: Here's a theory, knock it down. Reply #10 - Sep 11^th, 2014 at 3:38pm longweekend58 wrote on Sep 11^th, 2014 at 3:36pm: I don't really get the point of your post its called chit chat
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The Heartless Felon Gold Member Offline Australian Politics Posts: 2869 Gender:	Re: Here's a theory, knock it down. Reply #11 - Sep 11^th, 2014 at 4:36pm John Smith wrote on Sep 11^th, 2014 at 3:38pm: longweekend58 wrote on Sep 11^th, 2014 at 3:36pm: I don't really get the point of your post its called chit chat its called chit chat?
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bogarde73 Gold Member Offline Anti-Global & Contra Mundum Posts: 18443 Gender:	Re: Here's a theory, knock it down. Reply #12 - Sep 11^th, 2014 at 4:40pm No No longie. Seriously. There came a time, I don't remember exactly, when young people were using it ALL the time. It's not chit chat John. This is a serious socio-philosophic question, to which I urge you to turn your mind before intergenerational communication becomes significantly impaired.
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John Smith

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Re: Here's a theory, knock it down.
Reply #13 - Sep 11^th, 2014 at 4:43pm

bogarde73 wrote on Sep 11^th, 2014 at 4:40pm:

No No longie. Seriously. There came a time, I don't remember exactly, when young people were using it ALL the time.

It's not chit chat John. This is a serious socio-philosophic question, to which I urge you to turn your mind before intergenerational communication becomes significantly impaired.

humans evolve as does the way we communicate .... deal with it.

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Our esteemed leader:
I hope that bitch who was running their brothels for them gets raped with a cactus.

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Jasin

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Re: Here's a theory, knock it down.
Reply #14 - Sep 11^th, 2014 at 4:57pm

Gee, if Americans are just catching onto this after its been a part of Australian language for so long... Roll Eyes

But hey: Australia originated 'Texting' with our lazy shortening of words: G'day, C'mon

And Grunge was something known as Westie back in the 70's of the Sydney Western Suburbs.

Current Generation is the: E-Generation.
E-mail
E-tag
E-way
E ...because 'E-verything' is E-lectronic now ...E-ven 'E-Cars'.

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AIMLESS EXTENTION OF KNOWLEDGE HOWEVER, WHICH IS WHAT I THINK YOU REALLY MEAN BY THE TERM 'CURIOSITY', IS MERELY INEFFICIENCY. I AM DESIGNED TO AVOID INEFFICIENCY.

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