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NAFTA: 1 year ago

What causes some people to say "ummmmm" and "uhhhhhh" a lot while they are trying to talk?

The president right now is famous for this behavior. If you watch him speak he is always pausing and saying "uhhhhhh". EX: "In order to uhhhhhhh fix unemploment, we must first uhhhhhh address the uhhhhhh fundamental reason that is uhhhhhhhh causing it"

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Answer 1

FatKenney: 1 year ago

I had to take a public speaking course in high school and my teacher used to refer to "ummms" and 'uhhhhs" as stalling noises, i.e. noises that come out of your mouth when your brain is trying to articulate your thoughts. Kind of like music your mouth plays while your brain's on hold. He pointed out, correctly, that if you simply remain silent during these pauses instead of uttering the stalling noises, you sound more intelligent. People get the impression that you are choosing your words carefully, ordering your thoughts. "Ummmm"and "uhhhhh" just make it sound like you're winging it and really have no idea what the hell you're talking about.

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NAFTA: 1 year ago

Some people are BRUTAL with the uhhhhhh and ummmmm's!! I mean I can't listen to what the person is saying b-cuz I'm sitting there waiting for the next uhhhh or ummmm :)

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Tony737: 1 year ago via iPhone

Yup, that sounds like Obama haha

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FatKenney: 1 year ago

The worst offender had to be the late Teddy Kennedy. It was all the more noticeable because instead of the usual "uhhh" he'd work it up into "eearruhhh". Radio talk show host Howie Carr used to play back excerpts of Teddy's speeches and count the "uhhhs" and he once got 16 in a 90 second clip. Howie used to call him the Wizard of "Uhhh"s.

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Tony737: 1 year ago via iPhone

Yeah true, Teddy was completely incoherent ... even when he was sober.

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FatKenney: 1 year ago

When was that?

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Kathy2kathy: 1 year ago

lol,,@kennney

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Answer 2

stars_in_the_sky: 1 year ago | Last edited at 5:50AM on 6/12/2012

They are REALLY nervous and Obama.....Oh dont even get me started on OBAMA!

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NAFTA: 1 year ago

I'll buy that. But I don't like to associate nervousness with the leader of our country, it just doesn't seem to be a good "match" :)

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stars_in_the_sky: 1 year ago

Yeah I agree.

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Answer 3

newbuddah13: 1 year ago via iPhone | Last edited at 5:50AM on 6/12/2012

Because his Teleprompter isnt scrolling fast enough to keep up with his flapping lips. If he had a thought in his head he could use that instead of a pre-written speech but unfortunately all that's in his head is a donkey swatting flies with its tail. Thats the president. other people just have trouble getting their mouth to say the words in their brain

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NAFTA: 1 year ago

*donkey swatting flies with tail* CLASSIC!! :)

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Tony737: 1 year ago via iPhone

HAHAHA!!! I was gonna say exactly what you said about the TelePrompTer but the donkey swatting flies was HILARIOUS!

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Answer 4

lilgummibear: 1 year ago

There trying to think of something to say. Also people do that when there lying.

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NAFTA: 1 year ago

LIES!!!! 8)

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Answer 5

dancingPhotons: 1 year ago

i think for many people "ummmm", "uggghh" have become a part of their language. folks would say it all the time like they're thinking about dark matter collisions in outer space. for obama, i don't blame him for it. he really has A LOT to think of. poor guy.

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NAFTA: 1 year ago

OMG!! *dark matter collisions*!!! :) That's friggin great :)

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Answer 6

Lowheadroom: 1 year ago

Ummms and uhhhhs are really annoying when speaking. What's even worse, is that some people actually WRITE it. I've seen a lot of ummms written on this site.

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NAFTA: 1 year ago

When I write it, it's only for effect, but I know what you mean :)

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Tony737: 1 year ago via iPhone

Haha I write it to ... ummmm ... to be sarcastic haha!

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Lowheadroom: 1 year ago

Ummm, you guys are like, funny. I may like have to like take a break.

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Answer 7

Tony737: 1 year ago via iPhone

It's because Obama is soooooo much smarter than the rest of us, that he has to stop and think "Now how am I going to explain this to these mere mortals?"

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NAFTA: 1 year ago

Let me find the proper laymen terms for these idiots :)

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Tony737: 1 year ago via iPhone

Of course I'm being sarcastic in Obama's case, but Neil Armstrong did have trouble trying to explain the science behind the moon landing to a bunch of journalist dummies haha!

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NAFTA: 1 year ago

Tony, I read everything you write with sarcastic glasses, until I re-read it to see if it is in fact sarcastic :)

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newbuddah13: 1 year ago via iPhone

Are you telling me that he isn't the economic genius that he says he is.

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Tony737: 1 year ago via iPhone

NewB, I know, shocking, isn't it! Ha!

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NAFTA: 1 year ago

DUDE!!! I watched his speech today and he didn't friggin UMMMMM or UHHHHHH at ALL!!! He must have been listenin to us!! :)

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Answer 8

MerlinNme: 1 year ago

Hi! The "meat" of the question is about why people, in general, use these time fillers. It's been my experience these are used when a person is not quite sure of the topic they are covering. Time fillers, ahh, and umm, gives them time to gather their thoughts. It is also a sign of nervousness. It can also be a hesitation of lying. Some public speakers are so equipped at their jobs, they use it so the audience can take a moment and catch up with his facts. Example: Physics. As a professor stands in front of his students, hoping they are gathering all the information, he may pause and say, "Was that last problem clear? aah are there any questions?" Aha, Have a great day! :)

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NAFTA: 1 year ago

I hear ya, but it gets annoying if they constantly do it :)

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MerlinNme: 1 year ago

Good Morning NAFTA and everyone! Yes I absolutely agree w/you'! It's drives me bonkers too! What always gets me still is the "like" filler! "I was like at like the mall, right?..." Which then poses the question, "I don't know, were you at the mall?" Ugh! My dad weened my sis and I of that one quickly! Great to see you! :)

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NAFTA: 1 year ago

It's like, ummmm, like, uhhhhh, like, good to like, ummm,uhhhh, like see you too :)

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Tony737: 1 year ago via iPhone

Merlin, you have a good Dad!

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Answer 9

Anynomous: 1 year ago via Android

because they dont really know what to say next..sorda like filler verbiage...in hopes that the right answer comes to their mind before they get asked more questions..lol

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NAFTA: 1 year ago

Let me finish my first thought, damn!! :)

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Answer 10

CountryGirl_Pride: 1 year ago | Last edited at 5:39PM on 6/12/2012

Heehee, I'm guilty of that.... But I'm getting better! :D Umm, uhhh, ,well, uhhh, hmmm.... Just kidding! Well, they could be nervous, still trying to figure out what to say, or trying to make up an excuse or lie. I say um and uh when I'm trying to figure out how to say or explain something. :)

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NAFTA: 1 year ago

Maybe you'll be president one day :)

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CountryGirl_Pride: 1 year ago

NOOOOOOO! NO NO NO NO! I never want to be president. I'm just gonna do my thing, go to college, and be an English teacher.....

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NAFTA: 1 year ago

Remember to NOT teach "ummmmmm or uhhhhhhhhh" :)

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CountryGirl_Pride: 1 year ago

Umm, well, uhhh, okay. :)

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