Filler words serve important cognitive and social functions, but you can rein them in when it matters.

(CNN) — As someone who’s originally from Southern California and now lives in the South, it’s not uncommon for me to get Valley girl comments. I have a habit of throwing in a quick “you know, like” or ...

“Filler words are part of your mental dictionary, even things like um or uh,” said Dr. Idan Blank, assistant professor of psychology and linguistics at the University of California, Los Angeles.

(CNN) — As someone who’s originally from Southern California and now lives in the South, it’s not uncommon for me to get Valley girl comments. I have a habit of throwing in a quick “you know, like” or ...

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own. Novice speakers often use filler words in their presentations. During a pause, you may hear “um” or “uh,” while many speakers fall into ...

An curved arrow pointing right. Americans are notorious for using filler words. While moderate use in a casual environment could be helpful it is advised to avoid excessive use, especially in a ...

As someone who’s originally from Southern California and now lives in the South, it’s not uncommon for me to get Valley girl comments. I have a habit of throwing in a quick “you know, like” or “so ...

ATLANTA — As someone who's originally from Southern California and now lives in the South, it's not uncommon for me to get Valley girl comments. I have a habit of throwing in a quick "you know, like" ...