hemhaw
To stall, hesitate, or dodge giving a straight answer.
Also called hem-haw, hem and haw.
Updated September 24, 2026
hemhaw pronunciation
/HEM-haw/
Meaning
Southern and Appalachian shorthand for "hem and haw." Somebody who hemhaws around will not commit, will not spit out what they mean, or keeps fidgeting instead of deciding. You hear it when folks are waiting on a yes, a price, or a plan and the other person will not land.
How folks use it
- “Quit hemhawin' and tell me if you're coming or not.”
- “He hemhawed around for ten minutes before admitting he broke the gate.”
Origin and etymology
From the older English phrase hem and haw (British often says hum and haw), which copies the throat-clearing sounds people make when they stall. In Southern and South Midland speech it got mashed into one verb, hemhaw. DARE records that regional form.
Frequently asked questions
Is hemhaw the same as hem and haw?
Same idea. Hemhaw is the shorter Southern and Appalachian way of saying it.