In linguistics, a phatic expression (, ) is communication which serves a social function, such as social pleasantries that don't seek or offer information of intrinsic value but can signal willingness to observe conventional local expectations for politeness. Phatic expressions are a socio-pragmatic function and are used in everyday conversational exchange typically expressed in situational instances that call for social cues. In speech communication the term means "small talk" (conversation for its own sake) and has also been called "grooming talking."