Twenty Thousand Hertz: "blah, blah, blah..." Release Date: September 25, 2024

In the 200th episode of Twenty Thousand Hertz, host Dallas Taylor and producer Amelia Tate delve into the intriguing world of common filler phrases—specifically focusing on "blah, blah, blah," "yada yada yada," and introducing a lesser-known cousin, "da da da da da." This episode explores the origins, linguistic significance, and cross-cultural variations of these ubiquitous expressions, offering listeners a comprehensive understanding of how such sounds shape our communication.

1. The Evolution of Filler Phrases: Blah and Yada

Amelia Tate initiates the discussion by highlighting the prevalence of "blah, blah, blah" and "yada yada yada" in everyday language and popular media. These phrases serve as verbal ellipses, allowing speakers to skip over unimportant details or express impatience.

• Historical Origins:
  • "Blah": First recorded in 1918 in Howard Vincent O'Brien's published diaries titled Wine, Women, and War.
    • Amelia Tate [02:27]: "The word blah was first recorded in print in 1918."
  • "Yada Yada Yada": Popularized by comedian Lenny Bruce in the 1960s.
    • Amelia Tate [03:14]: "As for yada yada, comedian Lenny Bruce popularized the phrase in his performances in the 1960s."

Paul Sacca, a linguistics expert from the University of Texas, elaborates on the concept of quasi-quotation, explaining how these phrases allow speakers to convey reported speech without quoting verbatim.

• Quasi-Quotation Explained:
  • Paul Sacca [08:23]: "When you report what someone else has said, you can do it with different reasons in mind and you can do it in different ways... The first one is called strict quotation, and the second interpretation is known as quasi quotation."

2. Introducing "Da Da Da da da": A New Contender

Amelia introduces a novel filler phrase, "da da da da da," which lacks widespread recognition and dictionary presence. The conversation becomes an exploration of its usage, origins, and how it fits within the spectrum of verbal ellipses.

• Challenges in Spelling and Recognition:

  • Amelia Tate [07:07]: "I couldn't Google it because I couldn't spell it right."

• Possible Origins:

  • Morse Code Influence: Paul suggests a connection to Morse code's "dits" and "das."
    • Paul Sacca [20:22]: "He taught that in Morse code, the dots and dashes are colloquially called dits and das."
  • Verbal Ellipsis: The reduction of words like "dash" or "dot" into verbal forms.
    • Amelia Tate [21:21]: "I called it a verbal ellipsis. Do you think that that's a fair thing to call?"

3. Linguistic Analysis with Experts

Helen Abadzi, a cognitive psychologist fluent in 19 languages, provides a cross-linguistic perspective on similar filler phrases used globally to convey impatience or skip over details.

• Global Variations:

  • Hebrew: "kvar, kvar" (It's already done)
  • Greek: "ade, ade, adedet" (Finish)
  • Sinhalese: A similar onomatopoeic expression
  • Portuguese: Phrases indicating repetition or exasperation
    • Helen Abadzi [25:33]: "In Portuguese they can say something, there it goes again."

• Cultural Implications:

  • The absence of such phrases in some languages might indicate different communication dynamics, such as more deliberate listening or a slower pace of life.
    • Amelia Tate [28:23]: "There might be an actual slower pace of life somewhere out there."

4. The Role of Prosody and Consonants

The discussion delves into the phonetic aspects of these phrases, particularly the prevalence of coronal consonants like "d" and "t," which contribute to their ease of use and rhythmic quality in speech.

• Prosody and Musicality:

  • Repeating "da da da" can add melody and emphasis to the spoken language.
    • Amelia Tate [21:51]: "Repeating it more times... adds that extra bit of emphasis and even a sense of melody which linguists call prosody."

• Ease of Articulation:

  • The simplicity of "d" sounds makes these phrases effortless to produce, reinforcing their widespread adoption.
    • Paul Sacca [22:26]: "It might just be because it's an easier sound to make."

5. Communication Practices and Active Listening

Dallas Taylor and Amelia reflect on how these filler phrases impact communication and the importance of active listening. They suggest that being mindful of such expressions can enhance understanding and interpersonal interactions.

• Encouraging Intentional Listening:

  • Dallas Taylor [29:19]: "When you hear someone use filler words, count to three or five to show you're listening and give them space to elaborate."

• Cultural Shifts in Storytelling:

  • Older generations, particularly in rural settings, might use fewer filler words, indicating different storytelling and listening practices.
    • Dallas Taylor [28:06]: "There's not a whole lot of filler words... in storytelling, there's probably a culture of allowing more space."

6. Conclusion: The Future of Filler Phrases

The episode concludes with reflections on the utility and evolution of filler phrases. While they serve practical purposes in communication, there's value in occasionally foregoing them to foster deeper connections and clearer storytelling.

• Embracing or Minimizing Fillers:

  • Amelia Tate [29:03]: "Words and phrases develop because we find them useful. But we might benefit from slowing down and telling the full story."

• Understanding Human Communication:

  • The exploration of these phrases sheds light on broader linguistic patterns and the nuanced ways humans interact.
    • Dallas Taylor [27:34]: "You can learn a lot through very specific, nerdy things like this about how all humans speak to each other."

Notable Quotes:

• Amelia Tate [02:27]: "The word blah was first recorded in print in 1918."
• Paul Sacca [08:23]: "When you report what someone else has said... The first one is called strict quotation, and the second interpretation is known as quasi quotation."
• Amelia Tate [07:07]: "I couldn't Google it because I couldn't spell it right."
• Helen Abadzi [25:33]: "In Portuguese they can say something, there it goes again."
• Amelia Tate [28:23]: "There might be an actual slower pace of life somewhere out there."
• Dallas Taylor [29:19]: "When you hear someone use filler words, count to three or five to show you're listening and give them space to elaborate."

This episode of Twenty Thousand Hertz offers a fascinating journey into the sounds that punctuate our conversations, revealing the intricate balance between efficiency and expression in human communication. By dissecting these filler phrases, Dallas Taylor and Amelia Tate provide listeners with a deeper appreciation for the subtle nuances that shape our interactions.