Why do so many learned people seem to start every other sentence when they speak with the word "so"? It seems to be one of the latest trends. I hear students, professors, even NPR commentators do it.
If you think about it, though, it makes no sense. "So" is a coordinator. It coordinates something that came before with something that comes after.
She did this, so I did that.
Starting your conversation or comment with "so," then, doesn't make much sense. Does it?
