uh-uh

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See also: uhuh and uh uh

English

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Alternative forms

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Etymology

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Likely imitative of non-verbal sounds used to indicate disagreement or discomfort. Compare nope, wherein the -p may represent closure often uttered at the end of the word no.[1] Compare also um used to indicate hesitation. Attested from 1888.[2]

Pronunciation

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  • IPA(key): [ˈ(ʔ)ʌ̃˧.ʔʌ̃˩]
  • Audio (US):(file)
  • There is a glottal stop separating the two syllables. The second syllable has a lower tone. Both syllables are nasalized.

Interjection

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uh-uh

  1. (informal) no
    "Have you eaten yet?" "Uh-uh." "No way."

Antonyms

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References

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  1. ^ John Algeo (2009) The Origins and Development of the English Language
  2. ^ uh-uh”, in Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary, Springfield, Mass.: Merriam-Webster, 1996–present.

Anagrams

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