uptalk

American  

[uhp-tawk] / ˈʌpˌtɔk /

noun

1. a rise in pitch at the end usually of a declarative sentence, especially if habitual: often represented in writing by a question mark as in

   Hi, I'm here to read the meter?

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uptalk British  

/ ˈʌpˌtɔːk /

noun

1. a style of speech in which every sentence ends with a rising tone, as if the speaker is always asking a question

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Etymology

Origin of uptalk

First recorded in 1990–95; up- ( def. ) + talk ( def. ). Uptalk was first noted especially among teenage girls and young women, though it is used among the general population

Example Sentences

But there's another equally hated speech feature that is achieved at the other end: the high-rising terminal intonation pattern, or "uptalk."

From Salon • Mar. 7, 2022

After reading and rereading “What Is a Question?” and struggling to write this column, my thoughts all begin taking the form of uptalk?

From Scientific American • Aug. 7, 2021

Elon, the Donald, Bob-’n’-Doug, the Dragon on the Falcon, the logos, the lightning strikes, the weird melding of corporate uptalk and official NASA-speak — why, one could almost write the jokes in one’s sleep.

From Washington Post • May 28, 2020

Centuries ago, they led the way in reforming our pronouns and, more recently, they have dramatically influenced the way we communicate with uptalk and vocal fry.

From Slate • Mar. 3, 2020

The dialect known as uptalk — speaking like this?

From New York Times • Dec. 9, 2013