Words such as ‘mumble’, ‘sigh’, and
‘groan’ are spoken in places where their referent might more
naturally be used. It has been suggested that this usage derives from the
impossibility of representing such noises on a comm link or in electronic
mail, MUDs, and IRC channels (interestingly, the same sorts of constructions
have been showing up with increasing frequency in comic strips). Another
expression sometimes heard is “Complain!”, meaning “I have
a complaint!”
