What is this-aahu?

[Jerome]

From Kephart's Our Southern Highlanders:

to hear another circuit-rider expound and denounce at the top of his voice until late afternoon—as long as "the spirit lasts" and he has "good wind." When he warms up, he throws in a gasping ah or uh at short intervals, which constitutes the "holy tone."

Kacirk's Informal English, s.v. Holy Tone:

A method of utterance, often used in their sermons by Primitive Baptist preachers, in which the sound "ah" occurs at the end of each breath pause, and the taking of fresh breath is intentionally made audible. Also holy whine.

The Call of the South (SBC Home Mission Board, 1918):

In many remote sections the preachers in speaking still affect the sing-song cadences of what has been irreverently dubbed the "holy whine." This rhythmic intonation is pleasant to the ear, and many of the older mountain church members regard this method of delivery by the preacher as a hallmark of downright earnestness and humility. A mountain woman who had been brought up under the recurrent sermonic "a-ahs" of old Brother Jones, after hearing Dr. John A. Broadus, who was reckoned the foremost American Baptist preacher of his day, remarked: "I'd ruther hear Brother Jones...

 

[targus]

Thanks, Jerome.

 

[Amy.G]

The Lord-hah! The Lord-hah! Wants you to know-hah! That the Holy Ghost-hah! Is trying to get your attention-hah! And if the lord's servant-hah! Even the Pastor-hah! Sayeees Hah! It will wake you up-hah! Do I have an amen-hah!

Yuk. I call that putting on a show. It has nothing to do with good preaching. I've seen it on TV and quickly turn the channel.

 

[rbell]

In many remote sections the preachers in speaking still affect the sing-song cadences of what has been irreverently dubbed the "holy whine."

That's the problem...all that new whine in old whine-skins...

 

[Leigh Glasgow]

From time to time I see preachers on TV-aahu...
who have an affectation in their speech-aahu...

Where they end each phrase-aahu...
with an air gasping sound of some sort-aahu...

And I am wondering what is the purpose-aahu...
And where did it originate-aahu?

Does anyone know what I am talking about-aahu?

I know exactly, I attended the Baptist church by my mothers Easter and it was a good service, any preaching from the Bible is but I dont exactly care for that at end but who am I to question or judge ..

 

[kyredneck]

<goodbye thread>