[!@#$%!]

Originally Posted by Nefeli

i cant stand saying the word "yes" anymore.
(problem due to my work).
i feel the bones of my skull ready to crack when i say it. at work.
im trying to find other words to use, its hard and vocabulary is limited.
it gets to me that if i could count, the analogy no/yes, would reach zero. if that was possible.

you could try

mm-hmm

or

uh-huh


or

mmm--

(or whatever equivalent there is in greek)

depending on your preference.

by modulating the intonation you can convey numerous meanings, from agreement to disbelief to mockery-- a whole palette of messages with a minimal primitive utterance. almost like your desired burp.

then there's the classic
[phone rings]
you: "hey, i'm in the middle of something, what's up?
they: "nothing"
you: "ok, i gotta go, let me know if something comes up".
they: "alright..."
you: "bye"