HMMM/UM/OM/AUM THE FILLER SOUND FOR THE UNIVERSAL PAUSE
Hmm is an exclamation (an emphatic interjection) typically used to express reflection, uncertainty, thoughtful absorption, or hesitation. Hmm is technically categorized as an interjection, like um. 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. 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. A pause, a filler word such as um, is commonly used to form a thought.
This expression is used in very many languages, yet the origin. the etymology of hmm is difficult to find, mainly because the sound/word is so natural to humans that it may have arisen at the biginning of time. This is highlighted by Anatoly Liberman, a linguist at the University of Minnesota and an expert on word origins. It is possible, in fact highly probable that Neanderthals would 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".
The use of "hmmm" in conversation is often a way for one to convey a sense of contemplation however at root it indicates hesitation, hesitation when one gets ahead of their thought, indicates that the mind is gone blank. Hmm in text or the repetition of the "m" in "hmmmm" can conciously, also be used to indicate a deeper level of thought or consideration. The specific meaning can vary depending on the context and the individual using it. It could be used to mean or indicate a number of things for which there are cues, like tone, body language, facial expression etc. which would give more information about what the person is thinking. Primarily or at root hmmm is a form of non-verbal communication that may not have a universally agreed-upon interpretation, but it generally suggests a break in thought, a reflective state of mind, a comfort zone, a time delay, a bridge between thoughts. It doesn't really mean anything. It's not a word, it denotes a humming type nasal vocalisation made with the mouth closed.
Hmm in linguistics, is called a filler, filled pause, hesitation marker or planner (sometimes called crutches). It is a sound that participants in a conversation that signals a pause, a moment to think, a bridge that indicates the speaker is not finished speaking. Hmm when used as an interjection again indicates thinking or pondering. For example Hmm... that's an interesting idea, or Hmm... I just can't decide between the two. Hmm... creation or evolution or Hmm... the sound for the big question.
Hmm is a "filler" word, like um and 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.[14]
The use of hmm is typically used during "thoughtful absorption", which is when one is engrossed in their flow of ideas and associations, that lead to a reality-oriented conclusion. 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 and for shorter periods of time than hmm. For this reason, thoughtful absorption is typically associated with the utterance of hmm.
Hmm is a common sound found in many languages. It can be used in text to represent a sound made by someone who is thinking about what to say, who is thinking of what to say next. When it is uttered it indicates that the speaker is in the process of thinking. Something that sounds out when one pauses, when one draws a blank, when one is at a loss for words.
hmm is a sound made by producing a wordless tone with the mouth closed, forcing the sound to emerge from the nose. To hum is to produce such a sound, often with a melody. It is also associated with thoughtful absorption, 'hmm'.
A hum has a particular timbre (or sound quality), usually a monotone or with slightly varying tones. There are other similar sounds not produced by human humming called hums, as the sound produced by machinery in operation, or by an insect in flight. The hummingbird was named for the sound that bird makes in flight which sounds like hmmmm. Gentle humming sound relaxs humans thus its use in therapy and lullabies. A 'hum' or 'humming' by humans is created by the resonance of air in various parts of passages in the head and throat, in the act of breathing. The 'hum' that a hummingbird creates is also created by resonance by air resistance against wings in the actions of flying, especially of hovering.
Mains hum is an electromagnetic phenomenon that causes a low frequency (50 or 60 Hz) audible signal.
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