Polymath 1011

[hankir]

1d is:

Interjection expressive of reserved doubt (4) H?M?
HUMF?

Chambers says that Humf is a hump.
Humph is the interjection.

An explanation appreciated.

[fiction-factory]

Hmmm?

[Lie-in King]

Humf - as you say, this alt spelling is in the entry below the one highlighted here -

https://tinyurl.com/yxltkkjk

- I think it's probably what the setter intended.

[Lie-in King]

...But obviously can't swear to that :-)

[JF85]

Your link suggests hankir is correct. My copy of Chambers says the same, and the definition is too similar to be a coincidence. It is possible the compiler is using a different dictionary, which seems the likeliest.

[hankir]

Thank you both.
In the link provided, humf is a Scottish word meaning hump.

Chambers only goes with hmm, not hmmm.

[Lie-in King]

Yes, I know, that's why I pointed to the definition (clue) above that entry - setters *do* make mistakes & I feel that has happened here. When I did the puzzle, I discounted "hmmm" immediately when I saw the Chambers entry.

...It's entirely possible "humf" has the required definition somewhere, but I've been unable to find it *as precisely*.

[fiction-factory]

LinK is probably correct- my hmmm was just my first thought and was only a half-hearted suggestion- but I have since found this on this crossword solver site (although, like danword, it's isn't 100% reliable)
https://www.wordplays.com/crossword-solver/Interjection-expressive-of-reserved-doubt-(4)

[hankir]

Thank you both again.
Long long time ago, there were two possible French words as answer to a clue in Polymath.

I happened to choose the right one. Not many did.
I won. But it was in the days when they gave out expensive fountain pens.

I do not submit Polymath these days. I do not have to choose now.
It will be interesting to see what the official answer is.