Ahem vs Um - What's the difference?
ahem | um |
(onomatopoeia) the sound of a quiet cough or of clearing one's throat
an exclamation or cough to get attention
an exclamation of disapproval or annoyance
an exclamation to indicate sarcasm
(chiefly, American) Expression of confusion or space filler in conversation. See uh.
(chiefly, American)
*1963 , (Kurt Vonnegut), Cat's Cradle , Dell Publishing Co., Inc., p. 65:
*:"About the same, wherever you go," he agreed.
*:"Um ," I said.
To make the um sound to express confusion or hesitancy.
As interjections the difference between ahem and um
is that ahem is (onomatopoeia) the sound of a quiet cough or of clearing one's throat while um is expression of confusion or space filler in conversation. See uh.As nouns the difference between ahem and um
is that ahem is a use of the interjection, ahem while um is an alternative spelling of µm|lang=en.As a preposition um is
alternative form of lang=en.As a verb um is
to make the um sound to express confusion or hesitancy.As an initialism UM is
unmounted mint.ahem
English
Interjection
(en interjection)- Ahem ! Could we please get started?
- Ahem ! In case you didn't notice, I did my share, too.
- I really (ahem !) liked the chocolate broccoli surprise.
Anagrams
* *See also
* (l)um
English
Etymology 1
From (etyl) um, from (etyl) um, . More at (l).Alternative forms
* (l), (l)Etymology 2
(en)Alternative forms
* (l)Interjection
(en interjection)- Um , I don’t know.
- Let’s see... um ... how about this?