Some people say "Mmm" or "Ummm" or "Um-um-um". What's up with that? What do you say when you're thinking?
2006-06-30 06:11:54 · 16 answers · asked by Jose 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Languages
It's kind of a mental busy signal -- a habit you develop over time to fill in space while you think about what you're going to say next. You consciously have to think about keeping quiet while you think, or your brain will just do whatever it wants with the dead air time -- part of you knows you're supposed to be talking about something, and since it isn't getting any instruction to say something meaningful, it fills in the blanks with "uh" or "um." I knew a guy who kept saying, "ine" (rhymes with "wine") between phrases... I can only guess it was supposed to be "I mean" that got shortened to a single syllable over time. It's the same for people who say, "you know" or "like" every three or four words -- it's a placeholder more than an article of speech.
2006-06-30 06:18:21 · answer #1 · answered by theyuks 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
The human brain works much faster than humans can speak.
Often, a person knows in their own mind what they want to say...but need a little more time to put their thoughts into words.
"Mmmm", "Ummm" or "Um-um-um" fill the gap time between the initial thought and the spoken word.
2006-06-30 13:20:40 · answer #2 · answered by AlbertaGuy 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Mostly because they are uncomfortable with the silence of a pause. It has to do with the psychology of a person feeling like when they are speaking, they have to constantly be saying something in order to hold the person's (or people's) attention. Its usually unconscious, as in they don't realize they are doing it. You can train yourself not to do it though.
At Toastmasters, they have a person who rings a bell everytime a speaker utters a "nonword." It helps them to not...uh...use those to fill in pauses. Pauses are a natural and encouraged use of time when speaking in public because it allows the listeners to absorb what has been said. So when you're thinking...let it be silent! Look towards another person, then begin speaking when you have your next idea.
2006-06-30 13:17:51 · answer #3 · answered by lost_irish_75 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't know, but vocalized pauses such as "ummmm" are rather annoying and reduce the speaker's credibility. Take a pause rather than saying "ummmm" when you are trying to find the right thing to say; it makes you sound distinguished! =)
2006-06-30 13:16:53 · answer #4 · answered by randomgirl 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They're holding a place in the conversation so the subject doesn't get changed before they say something.
2006-06-30 13:15:59 · answer #5 · answered by madbaldscotsman 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It shows the person that asked the question that the person answering it is thinking of an answer, and not merely ignoring the asker.
2006-06-30 13:16:43 · answer #6 · answered by Travus 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It gives them a little time to think, between intelligent replies.
2006-06-30 13:15:25 · answer #7 · answered by mrearly2 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Cuz it shows that you have to think for a minute and you don't have it on the tip top of your head. -sprousetwinlove
2006-06-30 13:18:32 · answer #8 · answered by B.B.girllll 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Its better to say Umm.. or Uhh... than to just stare at someone when you are thinking.
2006-06-30 13:16:32 · answer #9 · answered by sellatieeat 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
that's in english. people from other countries say diff things. it's just what we're taught.
2006-06-30 13:15:25 · answer #10 · answered by naclayclay 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋