To “hum and haw” is to hesitate, be indecisive, or take a long time to make a decision, often by pausing, mumbling, or making noncommittal sounds. It conveys uncertainty or reluctance to come to a conclusion.
Sentence Examples
- “She would hum and haw for hours before finally choosing what to wear to the party.”
- “The committee hummed and hawed over the proposal but eventually approved it.”
- “Stop humming and hawing and just tell me if you’re coming with us or not!”
- “He hummed and hawed about the job offer, unsure if it was the right move for his career.”
- “They hummed and hawed so much at the store that by the time they decided, the item was sold out.”
How to Use the Phrase ‘Hum and Haw’ in Everyday Life
If you’re hearing this phrase for the first time, you might be wondering where or how you can use it in everyday life. Well, you can use the phrase to describe hesitation, indecision, or the act of delaying a decision. Here are some examples in common contexts:
1. Shopping Decisions
Context: When you can’t decide what to buy.
- “I always hum and haw over which brand of coffee to get—it’s so hard to choose!”
2. Answering Questions
Context: When someone hesitates before answering a question.
- “He hummed and hawed when I asked him if he liked the gift, so I’m not sure he did.”
3. Planning or Scheduling
Context: When someone delays committing to a plan.
- “We can’t book the tickets if you keep humming and hawing about whether you’re coming!”
4. Making Big Decisions
Context: When someone takes too long to make an important choice.
- “She’s been humming and hawing over whether to accept the job offer for days now.”
5. Expressing Frustration over Indecision
Context: When indecision causes delays or frustration.
- “I hate it when people hum and haw at the counter—just pick your ice cream flavor already!”
As you can see from the above examples, the phrase fits well whenever you want to describe a noticeable hesitation over a decision.
Origin
The phrase “hum and haw” dates back to the late 1700s, with one of its earliest appearances in Jonathan Swift’s 1728 poem “My Lady’s Lamentation.”
In the poem, Swift describes someone hesitating in speech: “He haws and he hums. At last out it comes.”
The words themselves have deeper roots:
- “Hem” originated in the late 1400s and referred to the sound of clearing one’s throat, often used to grab attention or signal hesitation—similar to saying “ahem” today.
- “Haw” emerged in the 1600s, denoting another sound of hesitation, marking a pause in conversation.
When combined, “hum and haw” emphasizes indecision or reluctance to articulate clearly. The pairing of these similar-sounding words follows a linguistic pattern seen in phrases like “beck and call” or “aid and abet,” where repetition and rhythm reinforce meaning.
Over time, variants of the phrase have developed. For example, “umming and ahing” expresses the same idea of hesitation and uncertainty.
Regional differences have also influenced usage; “hem and haw” is more common in American English, while “hum and haw” is often heard in British English.
Despite these variations, the meaning remains consistent: a humorous or exasperated way to describe indecisiveness.
Hum and Haw Synonyms
| Category | Synonyms |
|---|---|
| Verbal Hesitation | Um and ah, Hem and haw, Stammer, Pause, Mutter |
| Indecision | Waver, Vacillate, Dither, Hesitate, Ponder |
| Delaying | Procrastinate, Drag one’s feet, Take one’s time, Be on the fence, Overthink |
Using the Phrase in Social Media Status Quotes and Captions
In the age of social media, you might also want to incorporate the phrase into your status or caption. But how do you go about it? Here are a few quick suggestions, depending on your theme—whether it’s motivational, funny, relatable, or seasonal:
Motivational
- “Stop humming and hawing—take the leap, and let success follow!”
- “Decisions shape your destiny. Don’t hum and haw; choose boldly!”
- “Life’s too short to hum and haw. Make a move and make it count.”
Funny
- “Caught myself humming and hawing over pizza toppings—life’s real dilemmas!”
- “I hum, I haw, and then I still pick the wrong Netflix show.”
- “If humming and hawing were an Olympic sport, I’d win gold every time!”
Relatable
- “Some days, I hum and haw over everything—from breakfast to bedtime.”
- “Why do I hum and haw over sending a text that just says ‘yes’?”
- “Humming and hawing: the art of turning small choices into big dramas.”
Seasonal
- “Humming and hawing over gift ideas? Just grab socks and chocolate!”
- “I’ll be humming and hawing until New Year’s about my resolutions!”
- “The real holiday tradition: humming and hawing over which family party to attend.”