The Absurd Humor Archive · Word Archive
HEH
The quiet laugh. Heh is amusement that does not commit to a full laugh.
Where it comes from
Heh is a written approximation of a short, controlled exhale of amusement. It signals that something is funny enough to note but not funny enough to break composure.
Literary status
Heh in literary dialogue signals the character who finds things amusing without displaying amusement — the deadpan reactor, the one who sees the joke and registers it minimally.
Frequently asked questions
What does heh mean?
Heh is an interjection expressing mild amusement — a contained, understated laugh that signals recognition of something funny without full comic response.
Is heh a word?
Yes. HEH is a recognized interjection in English.
Can heh be the basis of a book?
The Absurd Humor Archive explores exactly this question. See the Archive's catalog.