Dutch researchers have recently published a study in PLOS One that claims saying “huh?” is a universal phenomenon, and can be found in languages that have no apparent relation to one another.
”Huh?” is not just a filler word, but actually serves an important linguistic purpose. The word fulfills the need to “repair confusion” by clarifying misunderstandings in conversations. There are also a set of patterns that each version of “huh?” adheres to; the word is always one syllable long, follows something misheard, and is uttered with a steadily rising pitch, indicating that it takes the form of a question.
While “huh?” is not the classiest word to inject into your vocabulary, it does point to an important aspect in how we communicate. According to the authors,
"Only humans have communication systems in which complex thoughts can be expressed and communicative mishaps can be solved on the spot. Even a humble word like ‘Huh?’ can teach us a lot about our nature as ultrasocial animals.”
