After listening to Grover Gardner's masterful narration of the Paulette Jiles novel Simon the Fiddler, I've become more attuned to how well an intransitive verb might have been used two centuries ago. While impressed with the manner of one who can appear learned without saying anything, other than on occasion uttering "Hmmmmm" or "Huuhhh", I have failed completely in the art of calm, polite succinct interjection.

Unless you count a pinch of tarragon in chicken stock, which leaves one asking themselves, "What fresh taste of spring dew and summer sun does this man infuse into his soup?" But we speak of verbal, not culinary, interjection.

I've compiled a short list, a few notes. Please add various phrases you recall? Maybe a note on their use? Even notes on the proper use of the mundane: "You don't say." and "Well, I'll be."

Aah (intransitive verb) A man with a sharp wit. Someone ought to take it away from him before he cuts himself

• Gardner expresses "Ahh" as a single word or statement, in a manner which denotes its context is clearly understood. In a time when content blabs ad nauseam, this skill of meaning more by saying less is enviable.

Well (interjection) used to express surprise or expostulation

Hmmm (exclamation) used to express reflection or hesitation




https://avatarhost.files.wordp...gardner-narrator.jpg

Huh!

How is "ahh" an intransitive verb? Or am I misunderstanding?

An intransitive verb is one which does not allow a direct object. An example would be "The man ran." Ran is the intransitive verb which does not have a direct object. Ran becomes transitive if you change the sentence to "The man ran the course." The man is the subject and the course is the object.

God, I hated HS English.

In Toastmasters, we call those empty word fillers. When someone speaks, one of the assignments given to someone is to count the number of word fillers as a feedback to stop that shit cold.

quote:

Originally posted by Rey HRH:
In Toastmasters, we call those empty word fillers. When someone speaks, one of the assignments given to someone is to count the number of word fillers as a feedback to stop that shit cold.

Ahh. How right you are. When used by content-addled undisciplined minds of today.

The current flood of information drives incorrect assumptions, misinterpretations propelled by an inability to effectively skim or block out irrelevant data.

Step back 100 years, 200 years, before radio, television, widespread education. Jiles captures a tone of 1865 Texas. People spoke differently.

If, in the 1960s, you knew a successful lawyer who was then in their 90's, it is likely this lawyer would have been master of debate, able to destroy your argument with a single interjection, strongly enough said for you to halt in your tracks, all but beaten. He, in turn, having learned by a lawyer born in Jefferson's time. It's all delivery, timing, and patience.

Decades back I was on a job; cannot remember where or for what. I tried getting another crew to do XYZ. The barely-shaving kid running the other crew had a way of responding with only a word or two which was infuriating. He'd not react. Utter a single word and wait for me to react. The better negotiator of a deal.

A technique learned from an uncle or grandfather, maybe?

Eventually someone will read my post and understand its intent. They will have stories of a great-uncle who had the damndest phrase or word, which could stop dissent or win an argument, in its tracks. And like any good joke, the delivery would be perfect.

The audiobook I reference is free from any library's Libby / Overdrive application. Have a listen. That Grover Gardner knows what I'm talking about.

In the meantime I will practice my delivery, timing, and patience.