Do what?

[Zeldar]

When somebody has said something you didn't quite hear or didn't really understand, are you more likely to say:

1) Huh?
2) Excuse me?
3) Say again?
4) I'm sorry?
5) What was that?
6) Beg pardon?
7) Would you mind repeating that?

8) <something else> (please specify)

[Kythereia]

8) Come again, please?

[Dusty]

Combination of 4 and 5: I'm sorry, what was that?

[mrald]

5. What was that?
Or my annoying fave, 8. DO HUH?

[Khan]

8.) What?

[Nic2004]

1) Huh? If I feel they are being condescending.
2) Excuse me? If I'm politely asking to repeat
3) Say again? If I feel it was a slur
4) I'm sorry? If I'm being difficult
5) What was that? If I suspect it was a hostile statement
6) Beg pardon? If I'm likely to take umbrage.
7) Would you mind repeating that? Read: Say that to my face, MF

So, all in all, it kinda depends.

[Zeldar]

1) Huh? If I feel they are being condescending.
2) Excuse me? If I'm politely asking to repeat
3) Say again? If I feel it was a slur
4) I'm sorry? If I'm being difficult
5) What was that? If I suspect it was a hostile statement
6) Beg pardon? If I'm likely to take umbrage.
7) Would you mind repeating that? Read: Say that to my face, MF

So, all in all, it kinda depends.

Excellent reply. I agree that it varies depending on circumstance and perceived intention(s) of the other person's utterance.

ADDITIONAL QUERY TO OP:

Is there something you hear others use that you almost never use yourself in the "I didn't hear that" or "I don't understand you" situation?

[FilmGeek]

"what" or "huh?" if informal (say, husband and I talking)
"I'm sorry...?" or "sorry, didn't catch that" if more formal, like work

[Podkayne]

One of my faves is "Who shot who in the what now?"

Usually, though, I just say, "Sorry, what was that?"

[Zeldar]

One of my faves is "Who shot who in the what now?"

Usually, though, I just say, "Sorry, what was that?"

Excellent. I had an uncle who always said, "Shot who the razor?"

[nivlac]

Actually this happens all the time since I work with a lot of colleagues whose first language is not English. Usually I would politely say: (1) "I'm sorry. Can you say that again?", or (2) "I didn't catch that. Can you repeat?"

[NoClueBoy]

Do what?

Doot doo ditty

Talkin bout the boy from New York City

[Zeldar]

Do what?

Doot doo ditty

Talkin bout the boy from New York City

That had better be a rap. If not, make it one.

[Maastricht]

I have one of those brains that tend to make sense even when there is none to make. So, when I mishear my fiancé, I repeat what I think I heard, with a little weirdness added on purpose.

He: mumble mumble I saw Doreen and she said their mortgage came through
Me: Eh? Dory mourns canine does?

[Queen Bruin]

"You did what to who for how many marshmallows?" An old middle school standard.

[NoClueBoy]

That had better be a rap. If not, make it one.


It's Manhattan Transfer's old song.

[Annie-Xmas]

That had better be a rap. If not, make it one.Lyrics (http://www.lyricstime.com/manhattan-transfer-boy-from-new-york-city-lyrics.html)

Sometimes I feel so damn old.

[AskNott]

"Were you talking to me? 'Cause I didn't hear it."

"I must have mis-heard you. You didn't offer to sell me a 'possum, did you?"

[Zeldar]

Lyrics (http://www.lyricstime.com/manhattan-transfer-boy-from-new-york-city-lyrics.html)

Sometimes I feel so damn old.

Righteous. Thanks!

[Marley23]

"Who shot who in the what now? or "The what what?" with friends. Usually it's "I'm sorry" or "I didn't catch that" at work. I'm excessively polite/apologetic sometimes.

[HelloKitty]

I always say "What was that...?" or "Say what...?"

I'm trying to stop though because I think it's kinda rude. I think it would be better for me to say the more dignified "Sorry, what did you say?" Seems more polite. But habits are hard to break!!

[Hostile Dialect]

8) Come again, please?

Easier said than done, buddy.

Seriously though, I say "Sorry?" Happens a lot on the phone, I don't know why.

[cuauhtemoc]

A couple of years ago, all the kids were saying "Wha' happened?" I think that's pretty much over now. Good thing, because it was stupid.

[Roland Orzabal]

The title of the thread is the answer to the question. Now that I think about it, though, if I'm incredulous about what the person said -- as opposed to having trouble understanding the words themselves -- I'll append a "now" to the phrase. Thus:

"Do what?" :confused:

"Do what now?" :dubious:

[AngelicGemma]

I just say -

pardon?

[Ice Wolf]

I just say -

pardon?Me too. If I'm not wretchedly tired. If I am, it's "WHAT??"

[irishgirl]

To my patients: "I'm sorry, I didn't quite catch that, would you mind saying it again, please?"

To my friends-" Sorry, I missed that, what were you saying?"

To my husband-"Say it again Sam!"
It's a "bit" we do because I space out so often.

[blinkingblinking]

People who say "Beg yours'.

I think this is an 'Australianism'.

[twickster]

4.

[Stillwell Angel]

You did what to who's cat?

(must give credit for that to my co-worker, had never heard it until I met her)

[Campion]

The informal is, "do what?"

The formal is, "pardon me (or excuse me), I didn't catch that."

To my secretary, it's "what was that again? I CAN'T HEAR YOU!!!" Bellowed, because for some reason we both refuse to use the intercom on our desks and prefer instead simply to yell at each other. I am told that my coworkers love that about us. :)

[Beware of Doug]

8a) Howzat?
8a.1) Howzat again?
8b) Run that by me again? (usually pron. "Runnatbymegin?")

[Beware of Doug]

Oh yeah...Cincinnatians say, "Please?"

[Lionne]

2) Excuse me? If I think they're being jerks
3) Say that again? when I truly didn't hear them
4) I'm sorry? I use this the most.

[Rhiannon8404]

Sorry? or Excuse me?

Occasionally, if I'm annoyed, it's...Could you please repeat yourself, you were mumbling

[Ensign Edison]

I can't abide "huh?" and cringe to hear myself ever saying it.

"I'm sorry, what was that?" (Or either half of this)
"Could you repeat that, please?"

Sometimes I won't say anything, just indicate by expression and gesturing at my ear.

If I know damn well what you said and I'm not happy about it, it's "What did you just say?"

[MizGrand]

If I'm not understanding when people talk I usually point out that I'm a bit hard-of-hearing. This usually helps vastly.

[Nava]

If I'm with the family, "¿Mandeloqué?" which would be something like the country-bumpkin, run-together version of "sorry, what did you say?"

With English-speaking friends, "mindsa'in'atagain?"

And in polite company, either "sorry, I didn't understand that, could you repeat please?" or its Spanish equivalent. If they were talking too fast I'll specify "... repeat more slowly..."

I've been told I can "pass" as American so long as I'm not overtired. I didn't quite believe it until that run-in with a server at my company's cafeteria, who wouldn't believe I didn't know what "Okrah" was and needed her to point it for me. Sometimes I do understand the sounds, I just have no idea what they mean.

[UncleRojelio]

Do what? At work.

Shot who? At home.

Que? Everywhere else.

[theunfounddoor]

"Your what hurts?" or simply "What?" with friends

"I'm sorry?" or "Could you repeat that?" when at work.

[Rigamarole]

Usually "Huh?" or "What's that?". I'm not sorry that you didn't speak up enough for me to hear you, nor do I feel the need to excuse myself for it.

[Ethilrist]

8. Tuesday.