The initial "so"

[Michael Sheehan]

Something I've noticed recently: many interviewees begin every answer
with "so." For example, a secondary-market specialist on CNBC a few
minutes ago was asked, "How do you make money?" His answer began with,
"So, the way the secondary market works . . ."

I've also heard the useless and obtrusive "so" on CNN during
interviews. Is there a purpose that I'm missing?

Mike Sheehan

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