Harrumphing

stickywicket

Is this an exclusively male preserve? The Oxford dictionary defines ‘harrumph (v)’ as (i)‘to clear the throat noisily’ and (ii)‘to grumpily express dissatisfaction or disapproval’.

I used to think it only occurred in posh households. Colonels and Lords of the Manor often seemed to harrumph in novels and you knew they were destined, before the final page, to expire of apoplexy over the port and stilton. (What a wonderful death!) But Mr SW, of humble origins, now harrumphs regularly, despite preferring beer and cheddar, and he expertly combines the two definitions.

He harrumphs a lot in hospitals as he dislikes waiting. (The rest of us, of course, love it :roll: ) It’s meant to convey that he has more important things to do, unlike us lesser mortals. He never harrumphs for his own appointments though, as then he’s far too worried – not that he has much wrong with him but he might have.

He harrumphs at anything and anyone that delays a meal, or even a course of a meal. He likes his food regularly and on time.

He harrumphs when he thinks we should be setting out for an appointment about 15 minutes earlier than necessary and then he harrumphs once he’s arrived 15 minutes early because of the delay.

He never harrumphs at other motorists, though. He just calls them stupid asterisks.

I may be mistaken but I can’t recall any of my female friends harrumphing. So, are the dangly bits essential for this activity? And should he avoid port and stilton?

katekelly

Hi Sticky,

I think it is a 'male' thing -us ladies are to polite to ever make such a noise! -we tend to sigh instead! This is quite a good 'noise' to make as it usually makes anyone around you ask what's wrong. If you start your reply with " oh it's nothing really just...." then you get your point across without sounding aggressive and antagonistic. Works for me ( but don't tall my OH!)

Love Kate x

mig

I'm an expert sigher. Mig

fowls48

My Bosses are very good at it

numptynora

I'm a good Harrumper, the older I get, the less tolerant I get, I even annoy myself sometimes! lol

dreamdaisy

I think I am married to your husband. :oops: Harrumphing is more usually associated with the male of the species but I daresay that if us ladies put our minds to it we could out-harrumph the poor dears within a nano-second. DD

barbara12

Brilliant...now I can give a name to the noises my OH makes.. harrumphing...

villier

Having been on my own for a long time and do not have to put up with the harrumphing, but, with all my autonomic problems and the meds I have to take a partner would have to put up with me Parumphing,.......hehe............... :oops: xx

Colin1

im so upset i saw that word harrumphing and thought it must have something to do with sex so i took a peek
so
harrumph
from Colin

mig

Typical bloke Colin but you made me laugh out loud. Mig

fowls48

Me To Mig , Colin you silly great banana

frogmorton

Hummph!

bubbadog

Well Mr Bubba & myself have Harrumphing competitions!!