Man, that hit the spot!
March 1, 2019 1:22 PM Subscribe
What do you call that noise people make in the back of the throat to show that they enjoyed a drink? It's an outbreath (exhalation) that begins with a glottal stop. I figure there should be a name in order to easily describe it to a deaf person, study it scientifically or script it in a screenplay. So... does it have a name?
What's wrong with a "voiceless 'Aaahhhhh!'"
posted by Liesl at 1:30 PM on March 1, 2019 [4 favorites]
posted by Liesl at 1:30 PM on March 1, 2019 [4 favorites]
Are you referring to that little "aaaahhhhhhh" that some people do after sipping a beverage?
I've always mentally thought of it as above. "Aaaaaaahhhh". Though I agree this is a problem because it's not the same "aaaaaahhhh" sound as someone saying, "Ah, I thought I recognized you!" or "Aaaaah! A ghost!" or the long satisfied sigh "Aaaaaaahhhhhhh!" of someone enjoying a relaxing Sunday afternoon on the couch. Though I guess it's related to the latter?
There are a few sitcoms that have talked about this as an annoying habit in other people (I'm specifically thinking of a Seinfeld episode, but I think there are more). I'm curious how this noise was described in those scripts?
posted by the milkman, the paper boy at 1:35 PM on March 1, 2019 [2 favorites]
I've always mentally thought of it as above. "Aaaaaaahhhh". Though I agree this is a problem because it's not the same "aaaaaahhhh" sound as someone saying, "Ah, I thought I recognized you!" or "Aaaaah! A ghost!" or the long satisfied sigh "Aaaaaaahhhhhhh!" of someone enjoying a relaxing Sunday afternoon on the couch. Though I guess it's related to the latter?
There are a few sitcoms that have talked about this as an annoying habit in other people (I'm specifically thinking of a Seinfeld episode, but I think there are more). I'm curious how this noise was described in those scripts?
posted by the milkman, the paper boy at 1:35 PM on March 1, 2019 [2 favorites]
Satisfied sigh.
posted by zamboni at 1:39 PM on March 1, 2019 [4 favorites]
posted by zamboni at 1:39 PM on March 1, 2019 [4 favorites]
The "aaaahhhh" is preceded by a glottal stop, but I'm not sure how you'd properly describe the combined sound.
Previously: For the Encyclopedia of Annoying sounds
posted by chromium at 3:16 PM on March 1, 2019 [3 favorites]
Previously: For the Encyclopedia of Annoying sounds
posted by chromium at 3:16 PM on March 1, 2019 [3 favorites]
Urban Dictionary calls it a drink reflex (obviously it’s not an actual reflex).
I call it fingernails on a chalkboard.
posted by Pax at 3:20 PM on March 1, 2019 [1 favorite]
I call it fingernails on a chalkboard.
posted by Pax at 3:20 PM on March 1, 2019 [1 favorite]
"Ahh" or "sigh" were my first thoughts, too. The weird thing is that you can do either of those with or without the glottal.
posted by The Underpants Monster at 4:00 PM on March 1, 2019
posted by The Underpants Monster at 4:00 PM on March 1, 2019
*gulp* "ahh!" is how I'd do it
posted by The otter lady at 6:01 PM on March 1, 2019 [1 favorite]
posted by The otter lady at 6:01 PM on March 1, 2019 [1 favorite]
See this question on AskMeFi, from last year.
posted by alex1965 at 6:50 PM on March 1, 2019 [1 favorite]
posted by alex1965 at 6:50 PM on March 1, 2019 [1 favorite]
It's a voiceless low, back vowel, which as you note, can be preceded by a glottal stop.
posted by lilies.lilies at 7:44 AM on March 2, 2019
posted by lilies.lilies at 7:44 AM on March 2, 2019
I see satisfied sigh has been used as a crossword clue and a possible answer is "AAH". I like that but it doesn't quite fit for me but "thirst quenching sound" seems too wordy. So I am following this thread. Because I make that sound and so does a baby in my family and I really like it. It is my OM.
posted by cda at 2:10 PM on March 2, 2019
posted by cda at 2:10 PM on March 2, 2019
I have always called it the Time of the Season sound.
posted by armeowda at 4:39 PM on March 2, 2019 [1 favorite]
posted by armeowda at 4:39 PM on March 2, 2019 [1 favorite]
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by Selena777 at 1:27 PM on March 1, 2019 [1 favorite]