First, a brief explanation of "no homo" and "pause."

These phrases are widely used in circles of people who casually listen to hiphop and R&B, or just young people. Mainly men. They're also used by people that hang out near those circles.

Interchangeable in conversation, they're tacked on at the end of sentences in air-parentheses (air-quotes' cousins), with the ostensible goal of warding off any gay implication. It's assumed by the speaker someone near him is about to twist his words. "No homo" and "pause" are what the speaker says to let everyone around him know he knows what he just said was easily twistable.

"No homo" and "pause" are similar in use to fat kids making fun of themselves before everyone else does.

Driving to work this morning -- something I almost never do since I realized riding a bike is more energizing than drinking coffee -- I listened to KUBE 93.3 FM, aka our Clear Channel affiliate for today's hottest "rhythm" music (formerly "urban"). It's a completely mainstream outlet.

Morning host Eddie Francis is one of the station's few DJs with any real personality. He talks like a person, and not a caricature of an FM radio DJ.

Discussing a feud between rappers Jay-Z and Game, Francis said, "Game went hard on Jay-Z (pause)."

To Eddie Francis, I want to say: You're better than that.