Spoken inarticulations
Spoken inarticulations: ------------------------ Words such as `mumble',
`sigh', and `groan' are spoken in places where their referent might more
naturally be used. It has been suggested that this usage derives from the
impossibility of representing such noises on a comm link or in electronic mail
(interestingly, the same sorts of constructions have been showing up with
increasing frequency in comic strips). Another expression sometimes heard is
"Complain!", meaning "I have a complaint!"