Utterances like um, wow, and mm-hmm aren’t garbage—they keep conversations flowing.

This is a somewhat interesting look at, like, how seemingly useless words outside of context function.

  • sqgl@beehaw.org
    2·
    22 hours ago

    And phone calls nowadays very often introduce lag, especially if using an app like Signal or Messenger or Telegram. This renders interjections by the listener dysfunctional.

    • Pete Hahnloser@beehaw.orgOPEnglish
      3·
      20 hours ago

      Yeah, I’ve (3 seconds later) uh … the real fun part is when you get the echo of your own voice just off enough to make it impossible to keep your train of thought.