ahem

Everyday

1. A written sound like a small cough, made to get people's attention, to show you are about to speak, or to show you don't approve of something. tree →
2. (humorous) Used in writing to point out a joke or a hint: «My birthday is next week, ahem.» tree →

In the lessons

In Alice's Adventures in Wonderland the Mouse, wanting to dry everyone, says «Ahem!» with an important air before reciting the driest thing he knows – a dull history lesson about William the Conqueror. In everyday life a teacher may say «Ahem» to make the class quiet.

Examples

• «Ahem!» said the Mouse with an important air. tree →
• The teacher said «Ahem» and the class went quiet. tree →
• «Ahem, I think you're sitting in my seat.» tree →
• «Somebody (ahem) forgot to feed the cat.» tree →
• Dad cleared his throat: «Ahem! Dinner is ready.» tree →
• «Ahem!» coughed the butler at the door. tree →
• “Ahem! ahem!” said the Rocket angrily. tree →

Note

Said with a little throat-clearing sound: «uh-HEM». Not a real word with meaning on its own; it is a sound.