Formulaic language (previously known as
automatic speech or
embolalia) is a linguistic term for verbal expressions that are fixed in form, often non-literal in meaning with attitudinal nuances, and closely related to
communicative-pragmatic context. Along with
idioms,
expletives and
proverbs, formulaic language includes
pause fillers (e.g., “Like,” “Er” or “Uhm”) and conversational speech formulas (e.g., “You’ve got to be kidding,” “Excuse me?” or “Hang on a minute”).