mm-mm
See also: mmmm
English
Alternative forms
Etymology
Nasalized form of uh-uh (negative) or uh-huh (positive), ultimately onomatopoeic; see fuller etymology there. Compare um, hem (expression of hesitation).
Pronunciation
- (negative) IPA(key): /ˈm.m/, [ˈ(ʔ)ḿ̩.ʔm̩̀]
Audio (US): (file)
Audio (Southern England): (file) - (positive) IPA(key): /mˈm/, [(ʔ)ḿ̩ˈʔm̩̀]
Audio (Southern England): (file)
Interjection
- no
- 2008, M.J. Fredrick, Where There's Smoke:
- "Need some help?" She shook her head. “Mm-mm.”
- 2009, Michael Batdorf, Pair of Jacks: A Novel, →ISBN, page 112:
- “Mm-mm,” I mumble, shaking my head.
- 2013, Allison Leotta, Speak of the Devil: A Novel, →ISBN, page 250:
- Mia cocked her head. “This is my fiancé's second wedding. He has a daughter. So I'm not sure if I should wear something . . . more second-wedding-ish? Like a white suit?” “Mm-mm.” Mia shook her head.
- yes
- 2005, Penelope Dyan, The Silk Princess, Bellissima Publishing, LLC, →ISBN, page 234:
- "Is the soda good, Princess?" her father asked.
"Mm Mm," replied Sarah Louise.
"She is a perfect little lady," thought Loo proudly
- 2010 April 5, Anne O'Keeffe, Michael McCarthy, The Routledge Handbook of Corpus Linguistics, Routledge, →ISBN:
- < M01 > They were really very very hot on quality. < F01 > Mm. Mm. Yes .
- 2017 November 16, Dan Krzyzkowski, Critical Mass, iUniverse, →ISBN:
- "Let me know if you need anything, all right ?" "Mm-mmm," she replied, looking down at the ground.