There Just Aren't Enough Words

Becky told me that statistics show an average person talks 50,000 words per day.

When the teenager is in a happy, sharing mood I am hesitant to just jump in and respond to every tiny little thing she says because sometimes this can turn the conversation into something else. And while it's not a bad thing (because we're actually talking to each other in a meaningful way) it's always nice to hear what she thinks.

So I listen.



So, this book says that people talk 50,000 words per day.

I'm thinking maybe women, but certainly not men.

And my friends and I are like, there's no way that can be true.

And I'm thinking, that does sound high. But if that's what statistics show it must be true. I pity the person who was in charge of counting it all out.

Because think about it. You talk all day in school, and you talk to friends on the bus to school and on the bus home from school. And you come home and you call friends and talk on the phone all night. I mean, like, you're talking all day. That doesn't sound like near enough words considering how much one actually talks. My friend said she's going to get a clicker and keep track of how many words we say in one day just to see if it's true or not. I mean, doesn't it sound like an awfully low number to you? Don't you think the average person talks more than 50,000 words per day?

And I'm thinking that she has a point. For the average teenage girl they probably reach that limit by the end of first period.

19 comments:

Colleen - Mommy Always Wins said...

Ha ha ha - like fer sure! I *SO* say more than 50,000 words, like, before 9 a.m. and stuff. ;-)

Cecily R said...

HAHA! I KNOW Gracie will exceed that number in a few years. I'm really nervous for her cell phone/text messaging years. Mostly because she takes after me.

I figure I use the words that Jon doesn't. So we even each other out.

Kidzmama said...

I guess it could be a good average. My family is pretty quiet. There's only one kid here that would reach, maybe exceed, that number. Funny. He sings all day long.

Karen said...

Definately low for a teenage girl!!!

the planet of janet said...

low for a teen who is NOT at home.

because nothing says deadly silence like a teen and mom in the same room ;-)

Danyele Easterhaus said...

ok, u know the engineer in me has to be a little geeky...so there are 286 words in your post. {don't ask} anyway, if that only took like 5 minutes and you mulitply that out...with 8 hours of sleep (ha), 2 horus of quiet time (bwwwaaaahhhhh), that leaves 14 hours in the day. figuring 50% of the time we converse...that's 3432 words an hour...times 7 hours...that's 24,24 words based on your post.

i'm geeked out...going to do something creative...eat chocolate or watch mindless tv now.

sorry...i may have overgeeked myself!

JennyH said...

Yeah, low for a teen girl!! And also low for my 5 year old! She talks all day from the time she gets up until she finally is out for the night.
I think her friend would wear out that clicker pretty fast!

Michelle said...

Ok, you never have to talk to me after this, but immediately I go to the calculator :)

50,000 per day. Say you get 7 hours of sleep.

That leaves 2,941 words per hour to speak or 49 words per minute. Nonstop.

If this is what teenagers are like, I'm getting the earplugs permanently implanted. Although that IS more proof that they don't actually listen to a word we say -- they're too busy talking ;)

The Sports Mama said...

As opposed to my teenage SON, who doesn't often speak more than 50 words an hour.

We've learned to interperet the various grunts and facial expressions. Sometimes we're right. And sometimes? It turns out a bit like some random teenager Mad Lib.

Andrea said...

LOL!! She is too funny! I can see it now, the girl carring around the clicker!! LOL!!

Burgh Baby said...

I don't think they make clickers that go high enough for a group of girls that age.

imbeingheldhostage said...

So funny!! I can't wait to hear what their clicker counts!!

Anonymous said...

Oiy! The perils of having a teenage daughter! (Though I have a preschool boy who just might give her a run for her money . . . there is seriously not a day that goes by that I don't ask him if he can please. stop. talking.)

(And I am so behind the ball, but I wanted to send a very late congratulations on Micah getting his Voice! There were tears in my eyes and goosebumps all over when I read the link on the providers webpage - what a wonderful blessing! And I hope before too long you have to ask him to please. stop. talking. At least for a minute!)

CC said...

I'm sure you are right about teenage girls :)

But then think about it from a child with AAC (like Micah). It's great to have a voice, but sad if they are limited in the number of words they can say. The PRC devices are great for making so many words available. I was working with a student today on a brand new device and we were already limited in her number of words today (on day 1)! :(

AutoSysGene said...

See now I think 50,000 seems like a ton of words. I doubt I come up with that man words a day...and I don't think my hubby says that many words a week.

Now let's talk about Hope...yeah, triple that and we're about right! :)

Unknown said...

I think my 3 year says at least than many in one day. Most of which are in a whinny voice!! :P

Anonymous said...

50k? Really? I can see a teen girl hitting that quickly, but my hubby? Doesn't say that much in about a month.

Leanne said...

Okay, I NEVER thought I'd say this to you but, you need more to do. :)

Robyn said...

Do "blogging words" count? I'm a STAH mom in a small town so I don't get out often. My world is my three sons during the day - and my husband and teenage daughter added in the evenings. I wonder how many words we use if we combine them all?