Yum-yum
n.joyfulplayful
What it means
An informal sound or expression of pleasure at delicious food.
Reach for it when showing playful appetite in speech that can comfortably sound childlike
A delighted yum-yum followed the first spoonful of pudding.
Choose between these
6- playful
when enthusiastic food praise can be exuberant
not when Scrumptious sounds decorative and may overstate a simple pleasure.
- everyday
when moderate approval is the honest level
not when Tasty is weaker and less expressive than yum-yum.
- everyday
yum
when one brief expression of tasty pleasure is natural
not when Yum is less emphatic and lacks the reduplicated playfulness.
- warm
mmm
when a satisfied sound conveys enjoyment without words
not when Mmm can express thought or hesitation as well as pleasure.
- professional
when the judgment should be stated in ordinary prose
not when Delicious describes the food rather than imitating the eater's response.
- literary
when elegant praise suits the dish and setting
not when Delectable is too polished to reproduce a spontaneous sound.
Said against
3- yuck
- ew
- blech
It naturally appears in
3- say yum-yum
The toddler began to say yum-yum when the peaches appeared.
- delighted yum-yum
A delighted yum-yum told the cook enough.
- quiet yum-yum
His quiet yum-yum made everyone reach for another dumpling.
Usage notes
Yum-yum is childish or playful. The same spelling can also name particular pastries or desserts.