So the word I overuse most lists “accordingly,” “consequently,” “ergo,” “hence,” “therefore,” and “thus” among its synonyms. I’m among many who have this unfortunate tic.

So we’ve used it to reframe questions to fit our answers. We’ve used it as a replacement for “uh,” “um,” “y’know,” or “well.” We’ve used it to preface an opinion for the purpose of making it sound as though we represent universal consensus.

So honestly, we’ve stopped knowing why we use it at all. Or that we use it at all.

So I discovered the tic by listening to Harry Shearer’s brilliant radio program, Le Show.

So I have other communication peeves having to do with the words “literally” and “notoriety,” the phrase “the exact opposite,” and the valley-girl end-of-statement uptick, now prevalent among both genders. But “glass houses” and all that.