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Writing Tip: Meaningless Words With A Purpose

Trebs

Entry posted by Trebs in Writing Tips

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Meaningless Words With A Purpose

 


What's a meaningless word? How could one have meaning? Well, I'm talking about interjections! What is an interjection really? Well, it's a word that doesn't have any part of speech but is put in a sentence to indicate an emotion. Sometimes they're not really even words, but through their use, they've come to mean something. They can be very useful, though I believe they should be limited to dialogue.

 

Below is a list of frequently used interjections and their commonly held meanings. Feel free to add to this list, as it is by no way complete.

 

Mmm: Indicates thought or sort of a lazy pleasure

 

Mmhmm: Indicates agreement

 

Aha: This indicates triumph or a sudden moment of understanding.

 

Um: Is just a place holder for a pause, but sometimes expresses confusion.

 

Oh: Very versatile. It can express surprise, pain, pleasure, add emphasis to a statement, Oh my god! or could be used to indicate a question with the addition of a question mark, Oh?

 

Hmph: This one is very Scottish sounding, lol. It expresses indignation or annoyance.

 

Ew, Ick, Ack: These all can express disgust.

 

Duh: Expresses disdain to someone who is being dense.

 

Eek: This could be fright or an unpleasant surprise.

 

Bah: Indicates derisive dismissal.

 

Shh: Indicates a need for silence.

 

Aw: This one is also versatile, it can be disappointment or if extended, it could be an expression of sympathy, like awww.

 

 

 

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18 Comments

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scotty94

scotty94 191

Posted

there is also:

 

ow: indicates when someone feels pain

woop: indicating when someone is cheering.

  • Like 1
Andy78

Andy78 3,097

Posted

 

 

 Bah: Indicates derisive dismissal.

 

This is also a very naughty word in Sheep-ese :lol:

  • Like 4
Slytherin

Slytherin 24,579

Posted

This is also a very naughty word in Sheep-ese :lol:

:sheep: very funny, Sheep :lol:

 

Aha - isn't that also a popgroup from Norway :P

  • Like 2
Mann Ramblings

Mann Ramblings 23,120

Posted

D'oh! - requires no explanation...

  • Like 4
joann414

joann414 4,135

Posted

Bleh! One of my favs when anything and everything is just plain crappy.

  • Like 3
Kitt

Kitt 46,206

Posted

Does ffff need explanation?

  • Like 3
Zombie

Zombie 13,514

Posted

phwoar!!

*exclamation when a hottie is spotted :P*

  • Like 3
  • Site Administrator
Cia

Cia 59,542

Posted

  • Site Administrator

LOL! Keep them coming, everyone!

  • Like 1
comicfan

comicfan 13,407

Posted

grrr - anger

 

ugh - disgust

  • Like 2
Former Member

Former Member 5,655

Posted

Eep! - when someone has been poked unexpectedly :)

phew - when danger has passed

 

edit:  Whoa! - normally following a DRASTIC breach of personal boundaries :D

thebrinkoftime

thebrinkoftime 243

Posted

I personally like "gwarg" because it's so versatile. It could be an alien or an evil witch dying, somebody doing something completely disgusting or the incomprehensible beeping of a robot menace.

 

Japanese has tons and tons of onomatopeia and it's a lot of fun to include it in writing. For a little breath of fresh air, here's some examples:

 

Teku teku - One of my favorites because it's so specific, it is supposed to represent the likeness of walking, but not just ordinary, walking in contrast to not using a vehicle, in other words it's there to show the fortitude and perservance when you decide to get there by your own two feet.

 

Odo odo - This is an expression for when you can't calm down because you're afraid or anxious about something.

 

Kasa kasa - This is the sound of two dried out things scraping or moving against each others, like dried leaves or a dry hand brushing against denim.

 

Gabatto - The motion of somebody getting up quickly or suddenly diving down and other such similar motions.

 

Shittori - The feel of something soft and velvety, calm and quiet, like deliciously smooth chocolate cake or rich shampoo.

 

Gito gito - The disgusting, sticky, gooey feel of grease and oil.

  • Like 4
Sasha Distan

Sasha Distan 25,250

Posted

Nghhhh - my personal favourite, expressing that sort of pleasure/pain boundary you only get with realy good sex...

  • Like 3
Daithi

Daithi 1,712

Posted

gah -  frustration or excitement

tsk tsk  - disaproval

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Zombie

Zombie 13,514

Posted

Shittori - The feel of something soft and velvety, calm and quiet, like deliciously smooth chocolate cake or rich shampoo.

 

Perhaps best not to share how I'm reading this ... :P

  • Like 4
LJH

LJH 1,030

Posted

So these words do have meaning after all lol

 

  • Like 3
scotty94

scotty94 191

Posted

zap, wop, wallop: these take me back to my comic book days

  • Like 2
Daithi

Daithi 1,712

Posted

eh- only if your Canadian lol

huh- disbelief or questioning

these and the two I previously posted are some of my favourites

  • Like 2

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