This article is very interesting because it brings up many points: that our chatter words are like traffic, the word "huh" needs to be very short and it is the only universal word.
Chatter words are like traffic because within conversations there is a set of rules that everyone has agreed to follow. Within this set of rules is that someone answers a question if they asked one and they should respond quickly. There is not a lot of time between different people speaking; if you do not understand something it is important to respond rather than sit there quietly and try to figure it out. The shortness of the word "huh" is perfect for this: it is a quick response that does not interrupt the flow of the conversation while getting a point across. This sound tends to come from the throat and is made without much thought which is also important. And finally since the word is so short it doesn't make it seem like the other person is trying to say something but it prompts the first person speaking to either repeat themselves or elaborate on what they originally said. It is a universal word because it is a sound everyone can make but is still different from most words/sounds in every language, making it distinguishable and not confusing the first speaker that you are trying to say something.
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