uh-huhadv.
/ˈʌˌhʌ/, /ʌˈhʌ/, U.S. /ˈəˌhə/, /əˈhə/ colloquial (originally U.S.).
Used to express assent or agreement, or as a non-committal response to a question or remark. Cf. uh-uh adv.The exact sense of quot. 1846 is unclear.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > language > statement > affirmation and denial > [adverb] > as an affirmative answer
in the affirmativec1460
surely1798
uh-huh1853
1846 Weekly Raleigh Reg. & N. Carolina Gaz. 23 Jan. He says: ‘Never have we witnessed..so determined a spirit to rescue the institutions and the government of that country from the hands of profligate and ambitious Whig leaders.’ Yes—well—what what [sic] government, and what Whig leaders?—uh-huh!]
1853 Hocking Sentinel (Logan, Ohio) 24 Jan. ‘Her name is Peggy?’ ‘Uh huh!’
1879 People (Indianapolis) 19 July 6/2 The young cavalier said to Emma.., ‘Are you sleepy, dear?’ and she muttered, ‘Uh huh.’
1925 Ladies' Home Jrnl. May 22/3 The policeman behind the desk said to Buckbarrow: ‘Here's something! A runaway kid.’.. ‘Uh-huh,’ commented Buckbarrow.
1947 ‘N. Blake’ Minute for Murder v. 111 ‘You ought to go on the films, Blount.’ ‘Uh-huh?’
1978 J. A. Michener Chesapeake iii. 123 ‘You're to..mind your manners. This is your last chance.’ ‘Uh-huh,’ Timothy grunted, staring with contempt at the wretched spot to which he was being taken.
2005 Z. Smith On Beauty 54 ‘Uh-huh,’ said Kiki, and nodded and smiled.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, June 2019; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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adv.1853- to make mind
- to make minning
- to make minning of
- to make minstrelsy
- to make miration
- to make mirth
- to make mirths
- to make mischief
- to make moan
- to make mock at
- to make mock of
- to make mocks at
- to make mocks of
- to make money
- to make moorburn
- to make more rarely keep a noise
- to make most of
- to make mourn
- to make mourning
- to make moyen
- to make moyens
- to make much matter of
- to make much menace
- to make much of
- to make much on