mm-hmm
UK[mm̩ˈhmm̩]US[mm̩ˈhmm̩]
interj
Used to indicate agreement, affirmation, or that one is listening.
Etymology
The word "mm-hmm" is a conventional written representation of a non-lexical conversational sound, or vocal gesture, common in English and many other languages. It originates from the basic nasalized hesitation sound "hmm," which is then reduplicated and given a specific intonational contour (typically a mid-level or rising pitch on the second syllable) to signal affirmation or attentive listening. Its evolution is not through traditional linguistic morphology but through the standardization of spoken feedback cues into written form, representing a direct phonetic spelling of a universal paralinguistic utterance used to maintain conversational flow and express polite agreement.
Analysis
This is a vocal gesture or interjection formed by reduplication and nasalization of the basic sound "hmm".
Examples
"Are you coming to the meeting?" "Mm-hmm."
She listened to his story, responding with an occasional "mm-hmm" to show she was following.
"Mm-hmm, I understand what you're saying," he said, nodding in agreement.