word whisker

A word or short phrase used as a verbal crutch when speaking, like "um", "uh", "er", "like", "y'know", etc. They also allow one to pause to consider one's next words without breaking the flow of a delivery.

Word whiskers are a nearly universal phenomenon in extemporaneous speech. Because they can convey uncertainty, create verbal clutter, and can cloud meaning, eliminating word whiskers is a common element of training for public speaking.

Word whiskers are synonymous with "filler words".

She'll never be chosen as anchor for the 5pm broadcast until he gets rid of all those word whiskers in her delivery.

For such an accomplished politician, she uses a surprising number of word whiskers when speaking to constituents.

His speech had so many word whiskers it was hard to find any content in it at all!

17👍 4👎