I would assume the opposite. People use it to sound dumb, not smart, so as to sound non-threatening, but also so as to sound non-assertive. It's used to defuse

I would assume the opposite. People use it to sound dumb, not smart, so as to sound non-threatening, but also so as to sound non-assertive. It's used to defuse potential conflict or perceived disagreeableness. Generally the affect of a late-stage conflict-adverse institutionalism that punishes assertive or dominant behaviors. Uptalk is the "I'm showing my belly" of English affects.