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.[1]
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[edit] Usage
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This article may contain original research or unverified claims. Please improve the article by adding references. See the talk page for details. (December 2009) |
"Uff da" is often used as a term for mild 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. "Uff Da!" can mean "Oh no!" Or if said in a low and slow tone "Uff da" can mean "Okay".[citation needed] It is said to perform the same function as the Yiddish exclamation "oy vey".[2]
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 "Huff da". In Norwegian, uff or huff is an interjection used when something is scary, uncomfortable, hurtful, annoying, sad or boring.[3] Uff da (or Huff 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.
- Uffda Soaps and Lotions UFF Da Soaps and Lotions sells hand-crafted, all natural soaps and lotions via the internet.
- There is an "Uffda" store in Red Wing, Minnesota selling various Scandinavian-Minnesota souvenirs, craft, gifts, and folk art.[4]
- The "Uffda Mountain Boys" is a band from the Fergus Falls, Minnesota area, playing Scandinavian and bluegrass music.[5]
- The New Glarus Brewing Company markets a brand of beer called "Uff-da Bock."[6]
- The logo of the Fargo Marathon includes the phrase "26.2 miles ... Uffda!"[7]
- 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.[8]
- Uff Da Airport (2WI1) is located in Stoughton, Wisconsin.[9]
- A citizens' group called Uff-Da Wal-Mart campaigned against the construction of a Wal-Mart Supercenter in Stoughton, Wisconsin.[10]
- There is an OOf-da Taco franchise that's been open since 1982.
- There is an OOVVDA Winery in Springfield, MO that is a homonym for Uff da and is also an acronym - opened in 2005. www.oovvda.com
[edit] See also
[edit] Further reading
- Red Strangland's Norwegian Home Companion. Barnes and Noble Books. 1987. ISBN 1566198151.
- Stangland, E. C. (1988-05). Uff Da Jokes. Norse Press. ISBN 0961327405.
- Lein, Rob. "Vikings bumble in draft? Uff da". Bismarck Tribune (North Dakota).
[edit] References
- ^ Clark, Jayne. "True blue North? You betcha!". USA TODAY. "It's Norwegian. Sort of like saying, Oh crap, explains clerk Linda Christopherson, searching for a more succinct example. You know, like when you lose your wad of gum in the chicken yard. Uff da!"
- ^ Haberman, Clyde (2003-12-09). "NYC; A Chance To Meet Some Winners". The New York Times.
- ^ "Søk i Bokmåls- og Nynorskordboka". http://www.dokpro.uio.no/ordboksoek.html. Retrieved 2009-09-19.
- ^ Writers, John Ewoldt; Lynn Underwood; Staff. "Dollars & sense; What's in store in Red Wing?". Star Tribune (Minneapolis, Minn.).
- ^ "Enderlin Independent: North Dakota". http://www.enderlinindependent.com/4DLink2/4dcgi/Get_News_Story/PB100069/PB100069-3495/1. Retrieved 2009-09-19.
- ^ Williams-Masson, Ellen (2006-03-15). "New Glarus Brew-haha on Tap". The Capital Times (Madison, Wisconsin).
- ^ "2009FargoMarathonNewsletter012009". http://www.fargomarathon.com/newsletter/2009jan20.html. Retrieved 2009-09-19.
- ^ Panaracer Uff Da! 26 x 2.3 Urban Jumping Tire. Panaracer. http://www.amazon.com/Panaracer-Uff-Urban-Jumping-Tire/dp/B001CJZ2B0/.
- ^ "FAA Information about Uff-da Airport (2WI1)". http://www.airport-data.com/airport/2WI1/. Retrieved 2009-09-19.
- ^ Williams, Beth. "Stoughton Group Wants Wal-mart Plan Reconsidered". Wisconsin State Journal (Madison, WI).
- 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.
