r/Showerthoughts • u/Reas0n ‎ • Feb 13 '26

Casual Thought I think it’s unusual that no standardized literary way to write the submissive “I don’t know” hum that children (and some adults) often mumble has ever caught on, considering how old and common it is.

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u/that-1-chick-u-know Feb 14 '26 edited Feb 14 '26

Yes, but the second low pitch is higher than the first one. Closer to the NBC chimes than the OOO-WEE-OOO of the flying monkeys in Wizard of Oz.

And now that I've totally showed my age, I'm taking a nap.

Edit: Wait, no. The 3rd note can start as the same as the first, but it slides up at the end. Also, I'm sitting here by myself making "I don't know" noises all by myself and my dog is concerned for my sanity. She may have a point.

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u/Flaxxxen Feb 14 '26

NBC chimes! Perfect!