Why do radio and TV pundits all begin their sentences with the word, “so”? Robert Peston and scientists are the worst offenders – (I’ve also noticed that there are a new breed of Robert Peston imitators appearing on the media now). it has a way of making the questioner seem stupid and the person making the statement aloof. Worse than that, it make them sound impatient with the questioner and as though they haven’t really listened to the question – as though they are spinning a line and hope you don’t see the joins.

Please stop it, everyone! (Now you’ve read this, you will hear it all the time and it will become very annoying for you too!)