Wordsmith.org: the magic of words

Wordsmith Talk

About Us | What's New | Search | Site Map | Contact Us  

Previous Thread
Next Thread
Print Thread
#18320 02/04/2001 4:31 PM
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 52
des
Offline
journeyman
journeyman
Offline
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 52
What is the word to describe the "um...er...uh" sounds used by public speakers (poor ones) or anyone??? Help!


#18321 02/04/2001 5:03 PM
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 11,613
Carpal Tunnel
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 11,613
Possibly hemming, hawing, or hesitating?
Please let me take this opportunity to say welcome to you, des, BeingCJ, and several others whom I have missed. 'Twasn't an oversight, it's been a matter of constraints, not the least of which is time. My apologies nonetheless.


#18322 02/04/2001 11:13 PM
Anonymous
Unregistered
Anonymous
Unregistered
Embolalia. Definitely embolalia. (And i know this because, as tsuwm pointed out, i'm getting a head start on my vacation vocabulary list. )

bridget=)

Ipsa scientia potestas est ~Bacon

#18323 02/04/2001 11:52 PM
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 6,511
Carpal Tunnel
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 6,511
Um... er... eliminating the tag (signature) line would be an even better start on said list, Ms Bacon


#18324 02/05/2001 2:57 AM
Anonymous
Unregistered
Anonymous
Unregistered
I apologize, ex animo, Ms. Anna. Correction's been made.



bridget=)


#18325 02/05/2001 9:06 AM
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 140
member
member
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 140
Hey, as a result of this thread I gotta bran new sig line ... lookahere! (if it works)

lusy

#18326 02/05/2001 4:02 PM
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 10,542
Carpal Tunnel
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 10,542
embolalia is probably the correct word, pathologically speaking. my research shows that the ToastmastersŪ call these "word whiskers" (heaven only knows why) and earn you a 'ding' or a 'buzz'. and is it possible that they are included in the term "cluttering" (as in cluttering up your speech, and to suggest stuttering) in the UK?

-joe (um... er... you know) friday


#18327 02/06/2001 2:45 AM
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 3,065
Carpal Tunnel
Carpal Tunnel
Offline
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 3,065
The Oxford Dictionary of English Grammar calls them hesitation noises.

Bingley


Bingley

Moderated by  Jackie 

Link Copied to Clipboard
Disclaimer: Wordsmith.org is not responsible for views expressed on this site. Use of this forum is at your own risk and liability - you agree to hold Wordsmith.org and its associates harmless as a condition of using it.

Home | Today's Word | Yesterday's Word | Subscribe | FAQ | Archives | Search | Feedback
Wordsmith Talk | Wordsmith Chat

© 1994-2025 Wordsmith

Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 8.0.0