When did this start / where did it come from??

[Desert Orchid]

I'm just watching Saturday's racing again and I've noticed something.

To put it into context, I saw a link to an interview with Celtic's James Forrest a few weeks ago in which the mickey was being taken out of him for starting the answers to post-match questions, "Yeh, no, definitely..." and I laughed a at how little sense it made.

After winning on Rock The Kasbah, the first question Richard Johnson was asked brought the reply, "Yeh, no definitely... "

Then before the big race, Jack Channon was interviewed about Mister Whitaker and Mick Channon. EVERY answer started, "Yeh, no..."

I'd presumed James Forrest's answer was bit of a rarity but it obviously isn't.

So how long have people being saying this? When did it start? Who first said it? Where did it come from?

(Maybe I should write to Susie Dent and ask her.)

My guess is that it probably started on something like Match of the Day when peabrained egos are asked a question and struggle to reply (but enough about Alan Shearer...) and it has spread subconsciously. I'd be willing to bet the people have no idea they're actually saying it.

[Beef or Salmon]

I write to Susie every week but she never replies

[an capall]

DO - you have poked a hornet's nest. My absolute pet hate is listening to interviews with Irish sportsmen/women - generally GAA.

1. Ah look it..(min 3 per sentence or 1 per clause, whichever is higher.)
2. Listen.....(after every second 'look it' - copyright Aidan O'Brien)

[an capall]

I write to Susie every week but she never replies

She is too busy intercepting my letters to Rachel.

[Desert Orchid]

She is too busy intercepting my letters to Rachel.

RACHELRILEY

A woman I RARELY LECH

Whereas SUSIEDENT will SUIT NEEDS...

[Diamond Geezer]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iRlqmTKyQx0

[Desert Orchid]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iRlqmTKyQx0

I wouldn't be surprised if that really was the origin of it!

[archie]

None sports people often start a reply with the word, 'so'. Probably a subsection for an MBA.

Basically all these words and phrases are a delaying mechanism while the brain processes the main answer.

[Colin Phillips]

Listen, Aiden is surely suffering from an OCD problem, what with “Listen” at the start of each sentence and worrying about his hair. I’m so fascinated by his tics that I miss what he’s saying. Mind you he seems to give the same answer whichever horse he’s being asked about.

Can’t say I’ve noticed “yeh, no” yet, DO but I haven’t watched much racing lately.

[Desert Orchid]

Basically all these words and phrases are a delaying mechanism while the brain processes the main answer.

Indeed. It's a tactic I used to teach my pupils in preparing for a speaking test (It got to the stage we were discouraged from using the word 'oral'...) as well as to make it sound like a less-prepared conversation.

"Eh bien alors..." etc.

[Desert Orchid]

DO - you have poked a hornet's nest.

Ah, you've met Mrs O, then...

[SlimChance]

I'm just watching Saturday's racing again and I've noticed something.

To put it into context, I saw a link to an interview with Celtic's James Forrest a few weeks ago in which the mickey was being taken out of him for starting the answers to post-match questions, "Yeh, no, definitely..." and I laughed a at how little sense it made.

After winning on Rock The Kasbah, the first question Richard Johnson was asked brought the reply, "Yeh, no definitely... "

Then before the big race, Jack Channon was interviewed about Mister Whitaker and Mick Channon. EVERY answer started, "Yeh, no..."

I'd presumed James Forrest's answer was bit of a rarity but it obviously isn't.

So how long have people being saying this? When did it start? Who first said it? Where did it come from?

(Maybe I should write to Susie Dent and ask her.)

My guess is that it probably started on something like Match of the Day when peabrained egos are asked a question and struggle to reply (but enough about Alan Shearer...) and it has spread subconsciously. I'd be willing to bet the people have no idea they're actually saying it.

Google any interview with Peter Thiel and try not to kill yourself that someone that smart is so retarded at the start of every sentence.

[Len Madeiros]

I'm convinced my mate Alex started it. He's a bright bloke - studied mechanical engineering at Imperial College - but he is absolutely full of the "Yeah, no, yeah..." and has been for years. I also noticed that the English swimming team at the Commonwealth Games had obviously incorporated the 'yny' into their training regime.

[Grey]

The Aussies have been at it for years:

http://languagehat.com/yeah-no/

[Grasshopper]

Not entirely related......in fact, probably not related at all...........but Stuart Machin - who I generally like as a race commentator - gets right on my jugs, when he says "and as they slide under the judge", when horses pass the post on the way out onto the second circuit.

Guaranteed you hear it at least twice today, wherever he is commentating.