Do what?

Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share
1

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)

2
  1. Come again, please?
3

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

4
  1. What was that?
    Or my annoying fave, 8. DO HUH?
5

8.) What?

6
  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.

7

[QUOTE=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.
[/QUOTE]

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?

8

“what” or “huh?” if informal (say, husband and I talking)
“I’m sorry…?” or “sorry, didn’t catch that” if more formal, like work

9

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

Usually, though, I just say, “Sorry, what was that?”

10

[QUOTE=Podkayne]
One of my faves is “Who shot who in the what now?”

Usually, though, I just say, “Sorry, what was that?”
[/QUOTE]

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

11

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?”

12

Do what?

Doot doo ditty

Talkin bout the boy from New York City

13

[QUOTE=NoClueBoy]
Do what?

Doot doo ditty

Talkin bout the boy from New York City
[/QUOTE]

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

14

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?

15

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

16

[QUOTE=Zeldar]
That had better be a rap. If not, make it one.
[/QUOTE]

It’s Manhattan Transfer’s old song.

17

[QUOTE=Zeldar]
That had better be a rap. If not, make it one.
[/QUOTE]
Lyrics

Sometimes I feel so damn old.

18

“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?”

19

[QUOTE=Annie-Xmas]
Lyrics

Sometimes I feel so damn old.
[/QUOTE]

Righteous. Thanks!

20

"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.