int. Also 6 vmff. [Imitative: cf. HUMPH and UMH.] An inarticulate sound, expressive of hesitation, doubt, or dissatisfaction.

1

a. 1568.  in Bannatyne MS. (Hunter. Club), 461/21. Vmff, quod the Helandman, and swere be yon kirk [etc.].

2

1782.  Miss Burney, Cecilia, IV. vi. He only looked at her, and said ‘umph?’ Ibid., VII. ix. I really believe the gentleman’s deaf! he won’t so much as say umph and hay, now.

3

1800.  Mrs. Hervey, Mourtray Fam., II. 119. ‘Umph!’ thought Emma, ‘is he abusing the Turk now by way of a blind?’

4

1822.  Scott, Nigel, v. ‘Umph!’ repeated Master George,… ‘what does umph mean?’ Ibid. (1826), Woodst., iii. Commands—umph—I think the damsel might have tarried.

5

1894.  A. Gordon, Northward Ho, 87. An occasional ‘Oich! Oich!’ from John, and a sympathetic ‘Umph! Umph!’ from Eppie.

6

  Hence Umph v. intr., to ejaculate ‘umph.’

7

1894.  Hall Caine, Manxman, I. x. 48. Cæsar umpht and grunted.

8

1900.  Daily News, 30 June, 4/1. ‘Umph,’ replied Mr. Rhodes, in his grim, gruff way, ‘Umph!’ and he went away umphing.

9