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Hem and Haw
Hem and Haw
Hem and Haw : Phrases
Meaning:
Sounds made in clearing the throat when we are about to speak.
Example:
Origin:
When a speaker constantly makes them without speaking he is usually hesitating out of uncertainty, which suggested the phrase. Said the first writer to record the idea in 1469: "He wold have gotyn it aweye by humys and by hays but I would not so be answered.
Related modern saying: To Um & Ah.