What is the word to describe the "um...er...uh" sounds used by public speakers (poor ones) or anyone??? Help!

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.

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

Um... er... eliminating the tag (signature) line would be an even better start on said list, Ms Bacon

I apologize, ex animo, Ms. Anna. Correction's been made.



bridget=)

Hey, as a result of this thread I gotta bran new sig line ... lookahere! (if it works)

lusy

embolalia is probably the correct word, pathologically speaking. my research shows that the Toastmasters® 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

The Oxford Dictionary of English Grammar calls them hesitation noises.

Bingley