Uff da
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Uff da (can also be spelled uff-da, uffda, uff-dah, oofda, ufda, ufdah, oofta or ufta) is an exclamation of Norwegian origin that is relatively common in the Upper Midwestern states of the United States. It roughly means "drats," "oops!" or "ouch!", especially if the "ouch!" is an empathetic one. In Norwegian Midwestern USA culture, "Uff Da" translates into: "I am overwhelmed." It has become a mark of Scandinavian roots, particularly for people from North Dakota and Minnesota.
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[edit] Usage
"Uff da" is often used in the as a term for sensory overload. It can be used as an expression of surprise, astonishment, exhaustion, relief and sometimes dismay. The term has been heard among men when a particularly attractive woman enters a room, or depending on the tone of voice, when a particularly unattractive woman enters the room.[citation needed]
"Uff Da" is an exclamation with flexible meaning depending on the context and emphasis put on it. Such as "Uff Da!" = "Oh no!" Or if said in a low and slow tone "Uff da" = "Okay".[citation needed] It is said to perform the same function as the Yiddish exclamation "oy vey".
Allen noted it as a feature of the "Upper Midwest" dialect (1973). Haugen, in his Beginning Norwegian, written for an American audience, specifically included "Uff da" as a way to "intensify" exclamations (1957:196).
[edit] Uff da in Norway
It is usually written in the form "Uff, da" or "Uffda". In Norwegian, uff is an interjection used when something is scary, uncomfortable, hurtful, annoying, sad or boring [1]. Uff da is most often used as a response when hearing something lamentable (but not too serious), and could often be translated as Oh, I'm sorry to hear that.
[edit] Examples of Uffda commercially
The following are some examples of how Uffda has become established in parts of the upper Midwest of the United States, often in a humorous way.
- There is an "Uffda" store in Red Wing, Minnesota selling various Scandinavian-Minnesota souvenirs, craft, gag gifts, and folk art
- The "Uffda Mountain Boys" is a band from the Fergus Falls, MN area, playing Scandinavian and bluegrass music.
- There is an "Uff Da Shoppe" in Stanwood, Washington.
- In Westby, Wisconsin there is an "Uff Da Mart".
- The New Glarus Brewing Company in New Glarus, Wisconsin markets a brand of beer called "Uff-da Bock."
- WGN radio and TV personality Orion Samuelson once covered Yogi Yorgesson's "I Yust Go Nuts at Christmas" with a studio group he called "The Uff-Da Band".
- The logo of the Fargo Marathon includes the phrase "26.2 miles...Uffda!"
- According to one edition of Red Stangland's book of Norwegian jokes, "Uff da" expresses one's feelings on dropping a sack of garbage; "fy da" or "fee da", getting one's hand in it.
- Bicycle tire makers Panaracer has a tire type called "Uff Da!". It is intended for urban Dirt Jumping use.
- Uff Da Airport (2WI1) is located in Stoughton, Wisconsin.
- In Grand Forks, North Dakota, there is a stand that sells Uff-Da tacos.
[edit] References
- Allen, Harold B. 1973. The Linguistic Atlas of the Upper Midwest, Volume 1. Minneapolis: University of Minnesota Press.
- Haugen, Einar. 1957. Beginning Norwegian: a grammar and reader. Appleton Century Crofts.
- Mohr, Howard. 1987. How to talk Minnesotan : a visitor's guide. New York, NY: Penguin Books.
[edit] See also
[edit] External links
see http://www.parkrapidsenterprise.com/photography/includes/gallery.cfm?id=97 for Uff Da Days
