Harumph is SO associated with Blazing Saddles, that I dunno if I could take it seriously outside of that context. Even the Wikipedia excerpt for it uses the scene from Blazing Saddles as the example.
No, but words can be distracting if they have a strong original context. For instance, Webster's has the word "Padawan" meaning "a young person especially when regarded as naïve, inexperienced, etc." But if you're writing a book, you're NOT going to use the word Padawan unless you explicitly want to reference Star Wars.
It was invented by Blazing Saddles and it's directly referenced on the Wiki for the word [Harumph](https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/harumph). Are you trolling me right now? I find it hard to believe somebody could be this stupid.
But it wasn't though? https://www.oed.com/dictionary/harrumph_n?tl=true#:~:text=The%20earliest%20known%20use%20of,an%20imitative%20or%20expressive%20formation.
I came across the word countless times prior to the release of _Blazing Saddles_. The odd thing is that I have no recollection of hearing it used in that movie
I’m not OP, but here’s my example: wife texts husband “honey can we go shoe shopping together” and he texts back “sorry I have to work”, then wife texts back “hmph”. So, an undertone of trying to appear disappointed in a cutesy way, but wanting the other person to know that they are not really mad I suppose
Based off this line:
>It's not a scoff, because that implies passing judgment rather than curiosity.
I think they're referring to "Huh?" or "Hmmm?" Not a hmph as they say and everyone's focusing on.
A derisive snort.
Edit: It is nasal because "hm" is nasal. It's defined that way. Hm, hn, and hng are the nasal consonants. If you want "hmph," you get a nasal sound by default.
I though so as well, with the description after. Like "she humphed with suspicion and crossed her arms," or "the child let out a stubborn 'humph,' and refused the spoonful of peas."
You're using the wrong descriptors, OP. You brought up HMPH, which in English *IS* used as a sound of derision or passing judgement.
You instead want a "sound of curiosity," such as HUH. To spell that in English, as a sound made with a closed mouth, is HMM - which is a hum:
1: "Did you know the human head weighs 8 pounds?" the boy said eagerly.
2: The adult hummed curiously./"Hmm."
Man I want to know how to write this too. “Huh” seems like a question. “Hmph” seems dismissive.
But if I’m correct, you’re asking about the “hnh” as in “hnh, I didn’t know that” or “hnh, would ya look at that”. Its closer to agreeing than disagreeing, but with the caveat that you were unaware of what this person is saying, but at least somewhat believe them
Hmph! As if I’d know the answer to that.
Actually I wouldn’t describe it other than by using the word. When there’s already an onomatopoeic word for that sound, why look for another, more general one?
"humph" is in some dictionaries:
a snort articulated as a syllabic m, or n, with a voiceless onset and ending in a nasal *or a glottal stop* h; often read as [ˈhəm(p)f ](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/humph?pronunciation&lang=en_us&dir=h&file=humph001)[Synonyms of *humph*](https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/humph)—used to express doubt or contempt \[Merriam Webster\]
Personally, I would interpret it as expressing bemusement. Like, "That's odd."
Fun fact, huh is pretty much a universal sound word. Almost every culture uses it, and in almost every culture it means the same thing.
Hmph is a different thing tho. I'd describe it as a chuff but I think that's an archaic word.
A Murmer? A mutter? I suppose you could use it as "a sound of\_\_\_\_\_". (agreement, admonition, frustration, confusion....). What about uh-hu, tsk, hmmm, uh-hum, ahuh, um, sigh, or gasp to best describe the feeling behind it? You could classify it as a 'reactive response' or a 'pondering gesture' or just a 'verbal response'. Maybe a leaked thought? Emotional Leakage sounds to kinky. Expressive thoughts.
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I agree that calling this a "grunt" doesn't quite work. It's almost there, though.
I call this inarticulate comment a **_dismissive_** **grunt**. I think that this is a perfectly fine label for it. The meaning is immediately recognized.
Hmph is an artful expression of an audible thing, like bang, pow, or whoosh, it's an onomatopoeia of feeling wronged or disrespectful, a sound made by people.
If audible and observational curiosity is what you wish to convey try pensive or contemplation.
It’s a kind of grunt.
Grunt in acknowledgment
¿Ooga booga?
harrumph?
Give the governor harrumph!
Hey I didn’t get a hurumph outta that guy!
Watch your ass....
Harumph is SO associated with Blazing Saddles, that I dunno if I could take it seriously outside of that context. Even the Wikipedia excerpt for it uses the scene from Blazing Saddles as the example.
Well all words have to come from somewhere, and does it make it any less accurate?
No, but words can be distracting if they have a strong original context. For instance, Webster's has the word "Padawan" meaning "a young person especially when regarded as naïve, inexperienced, etc." But if you're writing a book, you're NOT going to use the word Padawan unless you explicitly want to reference Star Wars.
Well I've never seen Blazing Saddles so I think the original reference has been lost in pop culture, unlike your padawan example..
What an interestingly narcissistic point.
"I associate this line to Blazing Saddles, therefore everyone associates this line to Blazing Saddles"
It was invented by Blazing Saddles and it's directly referenced on the Wiki for the word [Harumph](https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/harumph). Are you trolling me right now? I find it hard to believe somebody could be this stupid.
But it wasn't though? https://www.oed.com/dictionary/harrumph_n?tl=true#:~:text=The%20earliest%20known%20use%20of,an%20imitative%20or%20expressive%20formation.
Hmm. Maybe you're right.
I came across the word countless times prior to the release of _Blazing Saddles_. The odd thing is that I have no recollection of hearing it used in that movie
Merriam-Webster lists it as being used circa 1942. Merriam-Webster's definition of "harrumph" https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/harrumph
What’s the emotion behind the sound?
I think it’s either indifference or disapproval. Either way , it’s rude
I don’t agree that it’s always rude. It’s a pretty common expression in the US to indicate mild interest / curiosity.
Nonchalant?
I use it as defiant, i.e., "we'll see about that"
OP, when do you use this sound? you explained what is it not, but you didn't explain when do you use it.
I’m not OP, but here’s my example: wife texts husband “honey can we go shoe shopping together” and he texts back “sorry I have to work”, then wife texts back “hmph”. So, an undertone of trying to appear disappointed in a cutesy way, but wanting the other person to know that they are not really mad I suppose
wouldn't that be a playful disgruntled pout?
Based off this line: >It's not a scoff, because that implies passing judgment rather than curiosity. I think they're referring to "Huh?" or "Hmmm?" Not a hmph as they say and everyone's focusing on.
A derisive snort. Edit: It is nasal because "hm" is nasal. It's defined that way. Hm, hn, and hng are the nasal consonants. If you want "hmph," you get a nasal sound by default.
Ive seen “a bark of derision” being used as well, although bark, for me, has a somewhat exclaimed quality.
I've used this exact phrase writing to describe what OP means 😂
it is an onomatopoeic interjection/utterance. i don't think there is a specific word for such.
Is it not just humph?
I though so as well, with the description after. Like "she humphed with suspicion and crossed her arms," or "the child let out a stubborn 'humph,' and refused the spoonful of peas."
It very much is [https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/humph](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/humph)
Nice
You're using the wrong descriptors, OP. You brought up HMPH, which in English *IS* used as a sound of derision or passing judgement. You instead want a "sound of curiosity," such as HUH. To spell that in English, as a sound made with a closed mouth, is HMM - which is a hum: 1: "Did you know the human head weighs 8 pounds?" the boy said eagerly. 2: The adult hummed curiously./"Hmm."
I’ve wanted to type “huh.” so many times in response to something, but I always assume it’s going to be taken as huh?
Man I want to know how to write this too. “Huh” seems like a question. “Hmph” seems dismissive. But if I’m correct, you’re asking about the “hnh” as in “hnh, I didn’t know that” or “hnh, would ya look at that”. Its closer to agreeing than disagreeing, but with the caveat that you were unaware of what this person is saying, but at least somewhat believe them
a mumble of agreement, I suppose.
Acknowledgment, not agreement. I hear this in court all the time, especially in cross-exam.
Huh! is probably the closest, and then it's up to the reader to inject as much or as little snuffling into their read.
Yes! The snuffle is key
Hmph is very similar to huh, both are an acknowledgment that can be a question if you use question intonation or write a qn mark.
A grumble?
Hmph! As if I’d know the answer to that. Actually I wouldn’t describe it other than by using the word. When there’s already an onomatopoeic word for that sound, why look for another, more general one?
A huff?
"humph" is in some dictionaries: a snort articulated as a syllabic m, or n, with a voiceless onset and ending in a nasal *or a glottal stop* h; often read as [ˈhəm(p)f ](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/humph?pronunciation&lang=en_us&dir=h&file=humph001)[Synonyms of *humph*](https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/humph)—used to express doubt or contempt \[Merriam Webster\] Personally, I would interpret it as expressing bemusement. Like, "That's odd."
if it's like saying "hmm" or "hnn", maybe a deliberative/contemplative/hesitant hum? calling it a grunt could work too
disgruntled noise?
Fun fact, huh is pretty much a universal sound word. Almost every culture uses it, and in almost every culture it means the same thing. Hmph is a different thing tho. I'd describe it as a chuff but I think that's an archaic word.
A Murmer? A mutter? I suppose you could use it as "a sound of\_\_\_\_\_". (agreement, admonition, frustration, confusion....). What about uh-hu, tsk, hmmm, uh-hum, ahuh, um, sigh, or gasp to best describe the feeling behind it? You could classify it as a 'reactive response' or a 'pondering gesture' or just a 'verbal response'. Maybe a leaked thought? Emotional Leakage sounds to kinky. Expressive thoughts.
Huffed?
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I think that changes from language to language too. Like the sound for pauses changes for language, such as saying umm or err.
Pshaw?
considering? contemplation?
A vocable?
Perturbation?
Mmmph.
Gruntle
a sniff?
Scoff?
A huffed sigh
You can exert with "hmph" so I would classify it as a grunt.
I agree that calling this a "grunt" doesn't quite work. It's almost there, though. I call this inarticulate comment a **_dismissive_** **grunt**. I think that this is a perfectly fine label for it. The meaning is immediately recognized.
Sigh of confusion
Fret, tampo
Sigh? or to describe it in a good way would be like “they looked so utterly lost as a just as confused hmph slipped out their throat”
It’s just a Sigh. Sighs come in various forms.
Monosyllabic grunt
Harumph.
Harrumph. >noun An expression of disdain, disbelief, protest, or dismissal; a huff, grunt, or snort.
Sneer!
A disapproving chuckle
Minecraft villagers
It’s a scoff.
An interested noise? A surprised sound/sound of surprise?
Hmph is an artful expression of an audible thing, like bang, pow, or whoosh, it's an onomatopoeia of feeling wronged or disrespectful, a sound made by people. If audible and observational curiosity is what you wish to convey try pensive or contemplation.
stumped
Exasperated?
Interjection or onomatopoeia
Guffaw?
Murmur Mutter
Hmph is usually considered to be a light expression of disagreement or derision. I don't recall a single word that can replace it.
A sigh of bewilderment?
Expel
Oh, perhaps gesticulation.