You say it many times a day, whether you notice it or not. It’s “um”.
Far from being just a conversation-filler, it can make you a better speaker, and may even help children learn new words.
Linguist Daniel Midgley will try to make it all clear on this week’s Talk the Talk.
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The etymology of “um”
http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/um#Etymology_1
What they say instead of “um” in different languages
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Filler_(linguistics)
The odd “um” makes you more persuasive
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/05/110515122507.htm
And helps children acquire words
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/04/110414131436.htm
