My Informal, Linguistic Analysis of "Just"

So, I mentioned this long ago, and I'll finally get to making my analysis of the common use of the word "just" in current speech. It's my attempt at linguistic analysis, but I'm not particularly thoroughly trained in this, so take it for what it is. I just think language is interesting.

I noticed the word "just" first being used commonly in evangelical circles during prayer. E.g. "Father, I just wanna thank you...." However, since noticing it there, I've also heard it in other informal speech. E.g. "I just want to mention that...." Here are my takes on the way it's used:

1. "Just" is used informally. It's not used in the same manner in formal writing or speech and thus emphasizes a closeness or familiarity. (In the prayer example above, it implies a closeness with God.)

2. In all the cases I've been observing (as opposed to other uses and definitions of the word just, such as in "just war"), it is used as an adverb, whose primary meaning is to downplay a statement or request. It's a way of humbling oneself or what one has to say. In an example I cited earlier, a group of teachers were bidding farewell to a retiring teacher, and most started out with "I just want to say that...." That seemed to me to be two-fold: emphasizing that what they would say would only be a small gesture and would only represent one small part of that teacher's contribution, and also was a deference to the rest of us, saying they wanted to acknowledge this teacher but weren't going to take all day. This becomes an interesting paradox when looked at in the prayer example above. At the same time, the one word implies closeness but also gives a degree of aloofness and submission. (God is really important and has lots of things to do, so I'll only say/ask this one thing.) I haven't quite unravelled how those two exist simultaneously but I think they're both valid interpretations of the meaning.

3. Related to #2, just is a de-emphasizing word, but can also be used as a justifier (no pun intended). What I'm trying to say is that "just" generally downplays the askers request, but can also be used to metaphorically club one over the head. E.g. "Well, I just wanted to see what was on the other channel." Translation: I only wanted to do a small thing and there's nothing wrong with that, so why are you so stubborn? *Pbbbbbt!!!* (That last bit depends on the tone of voice....) In this case, de-emphasizing is emphasizing the righteousness of the speaker - I just wanted this one thing so what's wrong with that? I remember deciding years ago that I was not allowed to use the word "just" in arguments with Jeff, because once I pulled that little word out, it was all downhill.

4. Finally, I think this word in certain circles becomes engrained in a language pattern, somewhat similarly to how some of us have gotten used to using "like" as a filler word. The difference between the two is that "like" is generally used before a noun and just before a verb. There are other differences, but I'm sure anyone trying to read this is already nodding off, so I won't go into those right now.

Well, if anyone made it to the end, let me know if you notice any other interesting language trends!