phlegm, mucous

[Alaor Santos]

Hi everyone!

I know that when your throat is not clean enough you can hawk and go on talking more clearly, or you just clear it and goes on speaking. I would like to know what you call that substance you want to get rid of: He always has... and keeps clearing his throat all the time, specially when he smokes. If there is not such a noun in English, what do you say? He always .... and keeps clearing his thoat...

Thank you

 

[cyberpedant]

You've got the answer in your title (almost). "Mucus" (without the "o") is the stuff. "Mucous" is an adjective.