"like" and "as if"

[Arnold M. Zwicky]

On Jun 23, 2005, at 9:13 AM, I wrote:

> from Garry Tudeau's Doonesbury strip of 6/21/05:
>
> -----
> A:  So basically you're quitting your job to go to a party.
> B: Oh, like you've never done that?

another instance of "ironic assertional" from Doonesbury, 8/19/05:

-----
A:  But, James--the lame *lyrics* of these songs! [examples
provided]... How can you sing this stuff?

B: What, like we grew up in the golden age of lyrics?  Ever listen to
the words to "Horse with No Name"?