" Like "

WARNING: THIS IS A RANT.

Can someone PLEASE tell me what the purpose of the word like?

I started a long time ago to try to diminish my usage of this word, but a recent experience has helped me to renew this goal and be concious of NOT EVER saying it again.

My new roomies are nice girls. don't get me wrong. but today i was peacefully slumbering in my bed before work and one of them, who shall remain nameless, was blabbering loudly on the phone to who-knows who. I swear to you that she never finished a sentence. Instead of using periods or commas, she likes to use the work LIKE. (note how i used it properly just now...). She literally said this: "i was like, i was like (repeating herself) no, and he was like, he was like 'i don't want to like hold you back' and i was like, i was like, your like not holding me like back." Then she said "This month has been like, it's just been like, and i am like..." she didn't finish that thought. not even kidding. it's driving me nuts. So if you ever hear me use it the wrong way, slap me. Please!!