# Do you actually say the word 'a-choo' when you sneeze? How about 'ouch' when reacting to pain? **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [March 10, 2018, 7:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-actually-say-the-word-a-choo-when-you-sneeze-how-about-ouch-when-reacting-to-pain/810352 "2018-03-10T19:31:34Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mean_mr.mustard/32/3865_2.png) [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2018, 7:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-actually-say-the-word-a-choo-when-you-sneeze-how-about-ouch-when-reacting-to-pain/810352/1 "2018-03-10T19:31:34Z")
I think I usually do, and I wonder why. I’m not talking about the ‘normal’ sound I make when I sneeze; I literally say the word “ah-choo”. Same with “ouch”, sometimes shortened to “ow” if less severe. I’ve even caught myself saying “burp” when I burp. Seems like the right thing to do, at least when alone. mmm ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2018, 8:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-actually-say-the-word-a-choo-when-you-sneeze-how-about-ouch-when-reacting-to-pain/810352/2 "2018-03-10T20:13:34Z")
Why yes, yes I do. Very strange. The other day I was riding in my husband’s truck with him, and I saw a friend pass by and I texted ‘beep’. I dont know why I did it. She’s still laughing. ---
**Author:** ![Jim\_B](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jim_b/32/4338_2.png) [@Jim\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jim_B)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2018, 8:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-actually-say-the-word-a-choo-when-you-sneeze-how-about-ouch-when-reacting-to-pain/810352/3 "2018-03-10T20:22:23Z")
Oftentimes I do, on both accounts. But only when I feel compelled to say something (like when I have a particularly long sneeze, or a b\*tch of a pain). ---
**Author:** ![digs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/digs/32/14889_2.png) [@digs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/digs)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2018, 8:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-actually-say-the-word-a-choo-when-you-sneeze-how-about-ouch-when-reacting-to-pain/810352/4 "2018-03-10T20:46:40Z")
I’ve been reading a lot of old Superboy comics, and the “things no one would ever really say” make some of them unintentionally hilarious. My favorite is that a character would say (or weirder, THINK) “Oh, no, I’ll never _\>CHOKE!\<_\*\* get over her…” And they “said” this a lot. [Aha-- found an example!](http://www.retrospace.org/2012/12/comic-books-54-matter-eater-lad.html) How are you supposed to hear that as dialogue? Now as an adult, I’m guessing it’d be a catch in the throat, but as a kid, I assumed DC writers had their characters making a _\>CHOKE!\<_\*\* sound. ---
**Author:** ![ftg](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ftg/32/2801_2.png) [@ftg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ftg)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2018, 8:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-actually-say-the-word-a-choo-when-you-sneeze-how-about-ouch-when-reacting-to-pain/810352/5 "2018-03-10T20:51:48Z")
Sneeze: generally something like “ehhh-pfwew”. So sort of like “achoo”. “Ouch”: Sometimes “ow” or “yow”. Othertimes … creative Anglo-Saxon word combinations.:o ---
**Author:** ![snfaulkner](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snfaulkner/32/433_2.png) [@snfaulkner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/snfaulkner)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2018, 9:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-actually-say-the-word-a-choo-when-you-sneeze-how-about-ouch-when-reacting-to-pain/810352/6 "2018-03-10T21:38:00Z")
Bah-ChuhoooOOOOooodammit. ---
**Author:** ![Leaffan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leaffan/32/299_2.png) [@Leaffan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaffan)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2018, 9:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-actually-say-the-word-a-choo-when-you-sneeze-how-about-ouch-when-reacting-to-pain/810352/7 "2018-03-10T21:42:29Z")
Sneeze: aghhhhhoo Pain: FUCK! ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2018, 9:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-actually-say-the-word-a-choo-when-you-sneeze-how-about-ouch-when-reacting-to-pain/810352/8 "2018-03-10T21:47:09Z")
No on the sneeze. There’s no syllables I make, just whatever sneezing sound happens to come out. As for pain, it’s usually “Ow” followed by “sunnova” or “motherfucker” or “ah, shit” if it looks like medical attention may be needed. ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2018, 12:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-actually-say-the-word-a-choo-when-you-sneeze-how-about-ouch-when-reacting-to-pain/810352/9 "2018-03-11T00:19:23Z")
Some people say “achoo”, probably because it’s culturally ingrained. I had a Pakistani-American colleague who always said “hesh-oo” when he sneezed. Guinea pigs tend to sneeze with a short “chuh” sound. ---
**Author:** ![Weedy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/weedy/32/301_2.png) [@Weedy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Weedy)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2018, 8:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-actually-say-the-word-a-choo-when-you-sneeze-how-about-ouch-when-reacting-to-pain/810352/10 "2018-03-11T20:42:53Z")
I used to sneeze really loudly. People would even comment on how loud it was. It was embarrassing. Now I say ‘ah-choo’ as a word, right before I sneeze. The sneeze comes out much softer that way. ---
**Author:** ![Projammer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/projammer/32/559_2.png) [@Projammer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Projammer)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2018, 12:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-actually-say-the-word-a-choo-when-you-sneeze-how-about-ouch-when-reacting-to-pain/810352/11 "2018-03-12T00:46:28Z")
Sneezing is just the sound of air rapidly being expelled. Chooo. With no vocals. If I say anything when injured, it’s just a very bored, “Ow.” ---
**Author:** ![EmilyG](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/emilyg/32/364_2.png) [@EmilyG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EmilyG)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2018, 1:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-actually-say-the-word-a-choo-when-you-sneeze-how-about-ouch-when-reacting-to-pain/810352/12 "2018-03-12T01:02:18Z")
I wonder if anyone says “a-tishoo,” the British sound effect for sneezing. ---
**Author:** ![GuanoLad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guanolad/32/42_2.png) [@GuanoLad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GuanoLad)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2018, 3:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-actually-say-the-word-a-choo-when-you-sneeze-how-about-ouch-when-reacting-to-pain/810352/13 "2018-03-12T03:35:01Z")
I’ve never really said “ah-choo” but “ow” and “ouch” I say most times I hurt myself. I guess it’s a cultural osmosis, because people from other countries say something similar but distinctly different. But it’s also an unconscious automatic response to certain stimuli. Why do we say “wow” when we’re amazed? Why do we say our go-to curse word of choice every time? ---
**Author:** ![jtur88](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e9c0ed/32.png) [@jtur88](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jtur88)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2018, 8:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-actually-say-the-word-a-choo-when-you-sneeze-how-about-ouch-when-reacting-to-pain/810352/14 "2018-03-12T08:53:21Z")
I k now people who, when suddenly shocked by something totally unexpected, who say “Oh . . . Em . . . Gee”. ---
**Author:** ![Ludovic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ab992/32.png) [@Ludovic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ludovic)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2018, 12:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-actually-say-the-word-a-choo-when-you-sneeze-how-about-ouch-when-reacting-to-pain/810352/15 "2018-03-12T12:26:53Z")
I’ve never said achoo and don’t think I"ve said “ouch” as an expression of immediate personal pain, but I’ve said “ow” quite a bit. ---
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2018, 5:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-actually-say-the-word-a-choo-when-you-sneeze-how-about-ouch-when-reacting-to-pain/810352/16 "2018-03-12T17:58:57Z")
My mom did it when she sneezed. The actual sneeze was the “a-” part, followed by her saying “choo”. ---
**Author:** ![Balance](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ccd318/32.png) [@Balance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Balance)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2018, 9:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-actually-say-the-word-a-choo-when-you-sneeze-how-about-ouch-when-reacting-to-pain/810352/17 "2018-03-12T21:40:08Z")
My sneezes are more like a mix of a small squeak and a drumbeat. It’s more of an impact sound. They almost never involve vocalization, and certainly not as “a-choo”. (My father, on the other hand, pretty much shouts, “ahSHOO”.) I tend to hiss or gasp in response to pain, if I make an audible response at all. I only say “ow” or “ouch” when making light of some minor pain in the presence of others. It takes a conscious effort to verbalize when I need to tell others that I’m hurt and need a moment to deal with the pain and/or injury. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2018, 10:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-actually-say-the-word-a-choo-when-you-sneeze-how-about-ouch-when-reacting-to-pain/810352/18 "2018-03-12T22:08:31Z")
I don’t say anything at all when I sneeze, other than whatever sound the sneeze itself naturally makes. The sound I make when I hurt myself is reasonably approximated by “Ow!”. ---
**Author:** ![Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mean_mr.mustard/32/3865_2.png) [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2018, 10:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-actually-say-the-word-a-choo-when-you-sneeze-how-about-ouch-when-reacting-to-pain/810352/19 "2018-03-12T22:44:35Z")
> [@panache45](#): > > My mom did it when she sneezed. The actual sneeze was the “a-” part, followed by her saying “choo”. I think it’s awesome that she actually said “choo”. This is pretty much what I do, but the “choo” is the sneeze itself. The “ahh” is the pre-sneeze ramp-up. mmm ---
**Author:** ![jtur88](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e9c0ed/32.png) [@jtur88](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jtur88)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2018, 12:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-actually-say-the-word-a-choo-when-you-sneeze-how-about-ouch-when-reacting-to-pain/810352/20 "2018-03-13T00:54:43Z")
When I sneeze, it is more like “ah-khun” with a guttural fricative, instead of a velar. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-actually-say-the-word-a-choo-when-you-sneeze-how-about-ouch-when-reacting-to-pain/810352.md?page=2)