It’s one thing to know formal English, but this is not all that’s required for the subtleties of communication. Consider these monosyllabic grunts—and their variants—that begin with H:
- Ha! (That’s funny!)
- Ha! (I don’t believe you.)
- Ha! (Go away, critter!)
- Aha! (I see!)
- Ha–ha! (That’s very funny!)
- Ha–ha! (That is not funny.)
- He… (Who?)
- He (Helium)
- HECKa–BBBBBB! (I’m making a hip TV reference you probably don’t get.)
- Hee! (Made me giggle.)
- Hee–hee! (That’s funny.)
- Heeeeyahhh! (I didn’t really want to be President)
- Tee–hee! (I want you to think that I think that’s funny.)
- Hee Haw! (How old are you?)
- Hey–hey! (I have arrived, and I have a tattoo.)
- Hi! (Hi.)
- High. (Probably best not to drive.)
- Hi ho! (Don’t say more or you’ll get a DMCA notice.)
- Hmmm…. (I’m not sure about that.)
- Ho! (“Whoah,” but more indignant.)
- Ho Ho’s (Yum!)
- Ho Ho Ho! (Fat man in red suit coming.)
- Ho–ho–ho! (Did you eat your peas?)
- Ho-ho-ho! Hee-hee-hee! Ha-ha-ha! (I am the walrus.)
- Hoo! (Small mammals, watch out!)
- Hoo–hooo! (Small mammals, seriously, pay attention here.)
- Hooray! (I am now cheering for you.)
- Huh! (I see.)
- Huh? (WTF?)
- Huh uh (My answer is “n__o,” but I don’t want to say the word.)
- Huh huh huh! (That’s funny!)
- Huzzah! (Hooray [in some retro-ironic kind of way]!)
- Hwahhh! (I know kung fu!)
- Hyeeahh!! (I like pretending to know kung fu!)
- Hyohhh–oh! Yo–ee–oh! (Stay away, airborne monkeys!)
Did I miss any?