You get a text that your favorite ice cream is sold out and your friend had to purchase your second choice. You simply send back: “hmph”, causing an image to come to your friend’s mind of a child with their arms folded and a pouty face. A universal sound of wordless disapproval, this utterance says everything and nothing.
This post unpacks the meaning and origin of this expression.
Meaning
Hmph is a wordless expression used to communicate apathy, indignation, annoyance, dissatisfaction, or general upset. It is an onomatopoeia (a descriptive word which sounds like what it describes) of an utterance an angry or disappointed person may make.
This sound of contempt can also be used to express either discontent or condescension toward the recipient. Most often, an image to accompany this sound is the forementioned child with folded arms and a pout or a smarmy old person with an upturned chin. Hmph generally carries a negative connotation and can be used to express ironic disappointment or genuine unhappiness. More information can be found in the video (here).
Example Usage
“Hmph, well I don’t care what they say I’m going to do what I want anyway.”
“Hmph, wow, I can’t believe how dumb that movie was.”
“Hmph, I had some extra money so it wasn’t a big deal.”
“I don’t want to go outside with them! Hmph!”
“Hmph, yeah I don’t know what I’m in the mood for tonight. You pick.”
“Hmph! I am fat, so what?”
Origin of Hmph
Hmph was first recorded in English in the mid 16th century as a natural utterance of speech. From its conception, it was used as an interjection to express scornful doubt or dissatisfaction. It has continued its use in everyday speech and text to express a spectrum of indifference, discontent, and annoyance. The usage and meaning of the utterance has not changed throughout history. If anything, it has become used more often in most daily interactions.
Phrases Similar to Hmph
- U mad bro: An annoying phrase often used to escalate an angry person
- “I took the last pickle for my cheeseburger. U mad bro?”
- AYKM: An acronym meaning “Are you kidding me?”
- “You hooked up with your teacher after graduation? AYKM!?”
- Grrr: The sound of an angry person muttering under their breath
- “Grrr…. Why does this stuff keep happening to me?!”
- Hmm: The sound a person makes while thinking or to express indifference
- “Hmm.. I don’t really care what we have for dinner, what do you want to do?”
Phrases Opposite to Hmph
- Yas: A playful, excited, and/or overly celebratory use of the interjection “yes!” (holds LGBT or queer cultural associations)
- “Yas girl! Let’s cut that hair and do those nails right now! We are going out tonight!”
- Yessir/Yezzir: Often a response used to emphasize a strong agreement or opinion
- “Did you get into UC Berkley?” “Yezzir.”
- Ok game: To approve or agree in response
- “You want to go to Kyle’s beach bonfire with me? “Ok game.”
- Aye: A simple response meaning yes
- “Did you finally get that tattoo you were saving up for?” “Aye!”
What is the Correct Saying?
Hmph: An onomatopoeia used to express indifference, discontent, disappointment, anger, or annoyance.
Ways People May Incorrectly Say Hmph
People may mistake hmph as a positive or contented sound like a chuckle, exhale, or thoughtful sigh. Most often, this is an incorrect interpretation. Some ways that hmph is used incorrectly are:
- Hey, that’s pretty nice, Hmph, yup, it is.
- I really like what you wore today, hmph, pretty impressive.
Acceptable Ways to Phrase Hmph
- You really should stop trying so hard, hmph, people won’t ever notice your efforts.
- Do you really think I care about what a underclassman has to say? Hmph, yeah right.
- Hmph, there isn’t really anything you can do about how you look, you are average after all.