Fun Fact #409 Holophrases

 Fun Fact #409

Holophrases

From the time a child is born they absorb information like a sponge. As they learn language skills they start with babbling before making their way to a type of Interjection known as Holophrases. Holophrases are singular words to short phrases which due to a child’s limited vocabulary are used to convey whole ideas, and are their first steps to truly learning a language. While most Holophrases get abandoned as people learn to better communicate their thoughts, some persist even into adulthood. For instance when you don't believe someone you may say sarcastically “Oh really?” with a raised eyebrow. I’ve been told the “Parent look” is a nonverbal Holophrase.

It is thought that the most universal holophrase is sighing or a type of long exhale. Sighs typically signal to anyone nearby that there is displeasure in the room. Which –like a siren– sends most spouses running for the hills, either to find something to comfort their loved one, or to get out of the blast radius (kidding of course). Today the most common place you find holophrases is in emojis or Gifs shared between friends.