uhthat

uhthat is a slang interjection used in informal English to hedge or pivot in conversation. It merges the hesitation sound 'uh' with the demonstrative 'that' to reference a person, thing, or idea indirectly, often signaling uncertainty, reluctance, or a preference not to name something directly. The form commonly appears in casual speech and online dialogue, including memes and short-form writing.

In use, uhthat functions as a placeholder or transition. It can preface a reference to something previously mentioned, or stand in for a noun when the speaker cannot recall the word or wishes not to specify. It can soften assertions, reduce perceived certainty, or introduce humor. Examples include: "I was thinking about uhthat project we discussed yesterday," and "That gadget—uhthat thing with the red button—works well."

Origin and variation: uhthat arises as a spontaneous blend of 'uh' and 'that.' It is typically written as a single word in informal text or rendered as 'uh that' or 'uh-that' in transcripts. The term is not widely defined in formal dictionaries and is primarily documented in internet discourse and casual conversation, where speakers seek a non-specific reference or a humorous hedging effect.

See also: similar discourse markers include 'um' and 'that' as filler words, as well as phrases like 'you know' or 'that sort of thing.'