hum vs say

hum

verb
  • To express by humming. 

  • To produce low sounds which blend continuously 

  • To reek, smell bad. 

  • To make a sound from the vocal chords without pronouncing any real words, with one's lips closed. 

  • To drone like certain insects naturally do in motion, or sounding similarly 

  • To buzz, be busily active like a beehive 

noun
  • Unpleasant odour. 

  • A phenomenon, or collection of phenomena, involving widespread reports of a persistent and invasive low-frequency humming, rumbling, or droning noise not audible to all people. 

  • Busy activity, like the buzz of a beehive. 

  • A hummed tune, i.e. created orally with lips closed. 

  • An often indistinct sound resembling human humming. 

intj
  • Synonym of um: a noise indicating doubt, uncertainty, &c. 

  • Synonym of hmm: a noise indicating thought, consideration, &c. 

say

verb
  • To pronounce. 

  • Suppose, assume; used to mark an example, supposition or hypothesis. 

  • To tell, either verbally or in writing. 

  • To indicate in a written form. 

  • To have a common expression; used in singular passive voice or plural active voice to indicate a rumor or well-known fact. 

  • To recite. 

  • To try; to assay. 

  • To bet as a wager on an outcome; by extension, used to express belief in an outcome by the speaker. 

  • To speak; to express an opinion; to make answer; to reply. 

adv
  • Pick a color you think they'd like, say, peach. 

  • For example; let us assume. 

intj
  • Used to gain someone's attention before making an inquiry or suggestion 

noun
  • Tried quality; temper; proof. 

  • A chance to speak; the right or power to influence or make a decision. 

  • Essay; trial; attempt. 

  • Trial by sample; assay; specimen. 

  • A strainer for milk. 

How often have the words hum and say occurred in a corpus of books? (source: Google Ngram Viewer )