Editing Speech disfluency (section)

==''Hmm''==
'''''Hmm''''' is an exclamation (an emphatic [[interjection]]) typically used to express reflection, [[uncertainty]],  [[thoughtful]] absorption, or hesitation.<ref>Online Dictionary Definitions of "hmm"

* [https://web.archive.org/web/20180727115126/https://en.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/hmm]
* [http://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/british/morning Cambridge Dictionary]
* [http://www.dictionary.com/browse/hmm]
* [https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/hmm]</ref> Hmm is technically categorized as an [[interjection]], like ''um'', [[#"Huh" – the universal syllable|''huh'']], [[Interjection|''ouch'']], ''erm'', and ''wow''. The first ''h''-sound is a mimic for breathing out, and the second ''m''-sound, since the mouth is closed, is representing that the person is not currently sure what to say (''erm'' and ''um'' are used similarly). The pause filler indicates that the person is temporarily speechless, but still engaged in thought. The variety of tones, pitches, and lengths used add nuances in meaning.<ref name="livescience">{{Cite web | url=https://www.livescience.com/20861-origin-hmm-thinking.html | title=Why do We Say 'Hmm' when Thinking?| website=[[Live Science]]| date=8 June 2012 |first1=Natalie |last1=Wolchover }}</ref>

===Etymology===
The expression is used in many different languages; however, the origin of ''hmm'' is difficult to find, mainly because "the word is so natural that it may have arisen at any time", as highlighted by [[Anatoly Liberman]], a [[linguist]] at the [[University of Minnesota]] and an expert on word origins. It is possible [[Neanderthals]] might have used ''hmm''. [[Nicholas Christenfeld]], a [[psychologist]] at the [[University of California]], San Diego, and an expert on filled pauses, attests ''hmm'' is popular largely since it is such a neutral sound and that "it's easier to say than anything else".<ref name="livescience"/> The earliest attestations of ''hmm'' are from [[Shakespeare]], "I cried hum&nbsp;... But markt him not a word" (1598 [[Shakespeare]] Henry IV, Pt. 1 iii. i. 154). It may be a [[vocable]] that grew out of [[lexicalized]] throat-clearing.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.etymonline.com/word/hmm|title = HMM &#124; Origin and meaning of HMM by Online Etymology Dictionary}}</ref>

===Use as a filler word===
''Hmm'' is a "filler" word, like [[:wikt:um|''um'']] and [[:wikt:er|''er'']]. Typically, ''hmm'' is uttered when the person is being especially conscious about whom they are talking with, and as a result are thinking deeply about what to say. Moreover, the use of ''hmm'' is often interactional and cognitive. The interactional function is to do with politeness: if someone is invited to a party and responds "no" without a filled pause, they might appear rude, but a reply of "Hmm, sorry, no" might appear much more polite, as it seems the speaker is giving the offer some thought, rather than abruptly declining.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/um-like-filler-words-discourse-markers-why-use-er-you-know-a7665721.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220524/https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/um-like-filler-words-discourse-markers-why-use-er-you-know-a7665721.html |archive-date=2022-05-24 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live | title=Why you say 'um' 'like' and 'you know?' so much|website=[[Independent.co.uk]] | date=2017-04-04}}</ref>

===Thoughtful absorption===
The use of ''hmm'' is typically used during "thoughtful absorption", which is when one is engrossed<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://en.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/absorption | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160925202535/https://en.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/absorption | url-status=dead | archive-date=September 25, 2016 | title=Absorption &#124; Definition of absorption in English by Oxford Dictionaries}}</ref> in their flow of ideas and associations, that lead to a reality-oriented conclusion.<ref>{{cite book |last=Marić |first=Jovan |date=2005 |title=Klinicka psihijatrija |url=http://www.datastatus.rs/proizvod/8040/klinicka-psihijatrija-11-izdanje |location=Belgrade |publisher=Naša knjiga |page=22 |isbn=978-86-901559-1-0 |author-link=Jovan Maric}}</ref> The utterance of ''hmm'' is key for listeners to understand that the speaker is currently engaged in thought; if the speaker thought silently instead, listeners may be unsure if the speaker had finished their utterance. ''Um'' and ''er'' are also used during thoughtful absorption; however, typically the extent of the absorption of thought is more limited since ''um'' and ''er'' are usually spoken mid-sentence<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://www.fluentu.com/blog/english/english-filler-words/ | title=Fill in the Gaps: 15+ Common English Filler Words You Should Know &#124; FluentU English| date=19 June 2023}}</ref> and for shorter periods of time than ''hmm''. For this reason, thoughtful absorption is typically associated with the utterance of ''hmm''.<ref>Online Contrasting Dictionary Definitions of "hmm", "um", and "er"

* [http://www.dictionary.com/browse/hmm?s=t]
* [http://www.dictionary.com/browse/um?s=t]
* [http://www.dictionary.com/browse/er?s=t]</ref>