hem

Everyday

1. (noun) The edge of a piece of cloth, folded over and sewn so it does not fray, such as the bottom of a skirt or trousers. tree →
2. (verb) To sew a hem on something. tree →
3. (verb, hem in) To surround someone or something so they cannot move or escape. tree →
4. (interjection) «Hem!» or «Ahem!» is a little cough to get attention or show doubt. tree →
5. (in «hem and haw») To hesitate and not decide. tree →

In the lessons

In sewing and textiles lessons pupils hem a piece of fabric. In stories people are «hemmed in» by enemies, crowds or mountains. In Alice in Wonderland the Mouse begins his «driest» story with «Ahem!» as a small cough before speaking.

Examples

• Mum took up the hem of my school trousers. tree →
• We learned to hem a napkin in textiles class. tree →
• The sheep were hemmed in by the fence. tree →
• Toad felt hemmed in by the weasels on every side. tree →
• «Ahem!» said the Mouse, with an important air. tree →
• The skirt's hem was muddy from the field. tree →
• Stop hemming and hawing and choose a flavour! tree →
• He said, “Hem! hem!” but it was of no use. tree →

Note

Verb doubles the m: hemmed, hemming. «Hem in» = surround and trap. «Hem and haw» (US «hem and haw», UK more often «hum and haw») = hesitate. «Ahem» is how the throat-clearing sound is written.

In Jewish tradition

Interpretation: David says God has "hemmed me in" behind and before. The tradition reads this as meaning that God is near on every side and knows a person completely, so there is no place to hide from Him. In the primary lessons: In sewing and textiles lessons pupils hem a piece of fabric. In stories people are «hemmed in» by enemies, crowds or mountains. In Alice in Wonderland the Mouse begins his «driest» story with «Ahem!» as a small cough before speaking.

Examples

• Thou hast hemmed me in behind and before, and laid Thy hand upon me. (Writings PSA.139.5, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

Verb doubles the m: hemmed, hemming. «Hem in» = surround and trap. «Hem and haw» (US «hem and haw», UK more often «hum and haw») = hesitate. «Ahem» is how the throat-clearing sound is written.