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(jargon.info)Spoken Inarticulations

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:Spoken inarticulations:
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Words such as `mumble', `sigh', and `groan' are spoken in places where
their referent might more naturally be used.  It has been suggested
that this usage derives from the impossibility of representing such
noises on a comm link or in electronic mail (interestingly, the same
sorts of constructions have been showing up with increasing frequency
in comic strips).  Another expression sometimes heard is "Complain!",
meaning "I have a complaint!"