Which is to say

What does it say about us that we use such language? And what not, and everything like that, whatever that may mean, you know what I mean? which is to say and so on?

Which is to say may be the worst of them all. Which is to say is so full of itself it says the same thing twice. The other phrases, expressions if you like, are simply lazy; at best they seek the participation of the other, the listener. A phrase such as and what not or and everything like that mean can be heard as an invitation, especially when framed thoughtfully and in a certain tone of voice. You know what I mean, for instance, pathethic as it may be, is a direct interrogative.

Which is to say is another creature altogether--a pedant at best, a poseur at second best, a spoiled wayward child with an English degree who feels the need to correct the correction. I actually heard a person say, a person who I thought knew better, use the phrase twice in back-to-back sentences so that it seemed that the sum of what he was saying was, which is to say. 

There's no invitation in, which is to say: which is to say is all one-sided. Neither is it used at the end of an expression as the others all are. It's an exclusive and elitist bore, standing before us with its self-importance, lecturing us, in love with the sound of its own voice 

When I used a naughty word as a child my grandmother would threaten to wash my mouth out with soap. She never did wash my mouth out with soap, though when I became old enough to first start experimenting with cigarettes, about age 12, I'd wash my own mouth out with soap to disguise the smell of the cigarette smoke I'd inhaled, thinking my grandmother knew a thing or two about using soap to change behavior. People who use the phrase, which is to say should have their mouths washed out with soap. If they actually like the taste of it I'd grant them permission to keep using the phrase whenever they'd like, though not in my presence.

I'm not sure what the use of any of these expressions say about the language we use, other than they seem to be used more frequently now than every before by well-educated people of high moral character. I have no more to say about them, having said all I can say, but fearing I'll hear them said the rest of my life.