Any polite way to discourage the use of "Ya know"?

[Guardsman Bass]

Excessive use of the phrase "ya know" seems to be one of my pet peeves, and it bothers me even more than use of "like." However, my dad has picked up on that particular speechism, and now uses it in basically every sentence. Is there any good way to politely discourage its use? I can't seem to ignore it, and it makes it really hard for me to seriously listen to him.

[Einhander Sn0m4n]

The Nawlinsese strain of 'Ebonics' stupidly oversized smiley removed has 'Ya'errrrrrrrrrd me?' as the equivalent. It's extremely irritating, I daresay even worse than 'Ya know'. I generally avoid people who speak it too much anyway.

We have a perfectly good "confused" smiley. Don't tell me our selection has gotten that boring for you.
-Your Friendly Neighborhood Rampant AI

[Jalinth]

Excessive use of the phrase "ya know" seems to be one of my pet peeves, and it bothers me even more than use of "like." However, my dad has picked up on that particular speechism, and now uses it in basically every sentence. Is there any good way to politely discourage its use? I can't seem to ignore it, and it makes it really hard for me to seriously listen to him.

Fire it back at him - ya know him to death (or at least distraction). Any time he uses it, use it 5 times in a row. Worked on me in my "what about" and "like" stages.

[Durandal]

Well, here's what I do whenever people refer to something as "gay." If the person says, "That movie was gay," I'll usually follow with, "Yeah, it definitely has sex with other movies of the same gender."

[Darth Wong]

According to Pavlov, the method of negative psychological reinforcement and association would suggest that you should punch your father in the mouth every time he uses the offending phrase. However, I can't vouch for the wisdom of this technique as it may result in undesirable side-effects.

[Mr. B]

Im from Minnesota, If you didnt use the phrase "ya know" people would look at you strange. Its so ingrained into our vocabulary I use it regularly and dont even notice it, even when I type sometimes.

its one of those things the movie Fargo got right.

[Jew]

Excessive use of the phrase "ya know" seems to be one of my pet peeves. ... Is there any good way to politely discourage its use?

You are in luck good sir. In fact there is a polite way to discourage the use of a phrase that irritates you. The United States Congress, in cooperation with the United Nations General Council and the European Union, has declared that "hands in one's pockets" is now the polite international symbol of disgust with overused language phrases.

Any time you hear a phrase that annoys you, simply place both your hands pointedly in your jeans' pockets. Everyone knows this U.N. resolution and will surely divine your meaning. "Hands in pockets" for a new era of understanding and world peace! There will be good will and harmony once more. *weeps for joy* God bless the United Nations.

[Durandal]

Are you trying to find an excuse to insult the United Nations, or are you just stupid and not funny?

[Guardsman Bass]

Are you trying to find an excuse to insult the United Nations, or are you just stupid and not funny?

He's just an idiot who can't express sarcasm in so few words. As for the "ya know" front, I'm trying to, whenever he says, "Ya know," say "I don't know." It probably won't work, however, since he's one of those guys who does all their serious talking in the form of long, uninterruptible rants plowing over the other people in the conversation.

[Spanky The Dolphin]

A good slap across the face should do it.

[Darth Garden Gnome]

Foreign people seem to use it alot. With hockey, they interview a lot of young Russians or Czechs or Slovakians who can barely speak English, and every other damn word out of there mouth is "ya know."

It seems like it takes places of the standard phrase someone uses when their brain hits a rut and they can't think of anything for a second, like "uhhhh" or "ummm."

[wolveraptor]

It's even more annoying when it's "knowha'msayin?"

[Guardsman Bass]

It's even more annoying when it's "knowha'msayin?"

My uncle picked up that one. It's never bothered me, since I haven't spent a lot of time around him, but my brother, who "shadowed" my uncle for a careers day, was severely annoyed by its use. Personally, I don't think it's as annoying as "ya know," simply because it can't be used as often in a sentence.