er

Everyday

1. «Er» is a sound people make when they are not sure what to say or are thinking, like «um»: «It's, er, somewhere here.» tree →
2. (US, abbreviation) ER stands for «emergency room», the part of a hospital that treats urgent injuries and illness (UK: A&E). tree →
3. (UK, abbreviation) ER stands for «Elizabeth Regina», Latin for Queen Elizabeth, seen on postboxes. tree →
4. «-er» is also a suffix that makes a person who does something (teacher) or a comparative (bigger). tree →
5. In old or country speech, 'er' is written for 'are', as in 'you er mine'. tree →

In the lessons

In stories and play scripts «er» shows a character is nervous, shy, unsure or lying: «Did you eat the cake?» «Er… no.» In speaking lessons pupils learn to use fewer «ers» and «ums» when presenting. In grammar lessons the suffix -er makes comparatives (taller) and nouns (singer). Phrases: er… um…, er, well.

Examples

• «Er, I think I forgot my homework,» said Sam. tree →
• He said «er» a lot because he was nervous. tree →
• «Where's my phone?» «Er… I haven't seen it.» tree →
• Try not to say «er» between every sentence in your talk. tree →
• The doctor in the ER fixed his broken arm. tree →
• The old postbox had «ER» on it. tree →
• The suffix -er turns «fast» into «faster». tree →
• Add -er to «paint» to make «painter». tree →
• Sho ez you er settin' dar. tree →

Note

«Er» is not a real word with a meaning; it is a filler sound and has no plural or forms. In British English it is pronounced like «uh» (the r is silent); Americans may write it as «uh». ER and E.R. in capitals are abbreviations. Do not confuse with «err», a formal verb meaning to make a mistake («to err is human»).

In Jewish tradition

In Genesis, Er is Judah's oldest son, who married Tamar and died because he was wicked.

Interpretation. Tradition says Er was wicked and the Rabbis discuss his death, which led to the law of levirate marriage in the story of Tamar.

Examples

• And she conceived, and bore a son; and he called his name Er. (Torah GEN.38.3, JPS 1917) tree →
• And Judah took a wife for Er his first-born, and her name was Tamar. (Torah GEN.38.6, JPS 1917) tree →
• And Er, Judah's first-born, was wicked in the sight of the LORD; and the LORD slew him. (Torah GEN.38.7, JPS 1917) tree →
• And Er, Judah's first-born, was wicked in the sight of the LORD; and He slew him. (Writings 1CH.2.3, JPS 1917) tree →
• The sons of Judah: Er, and Onan, and Shelah; which three were born unto him of Bath-shua the Canaanitess. (Writings 1CH.2.3, JPS 1917) tree →
• The sons of Shelah the son of Judah: Er the father of Lecah, and Ladah the father of Mareshah, and the families of the house of them that wrought fine linen, of the house of Ashbea; (Writings 1CH.4.21, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

«Er» is not a real word with a meaning; it is a filler sound and has no plural or forms. In British English it is pronounced like «uh» (the r is silent); Americans may write it as «uh». ER and E.R. in capitals are abbreviations. Do not confuse with «err», a formal verb meaning to make a mistake («to err is human»).