Uff da
Uff da (sometimes also spelled huffda, uff-da, uffda, uff-dah, oofda, ufda, ufdah, oofta, or uf daa) is an exclamation or interjection expressing bafflement, surprise, or dismay. Of Norwegian origin, the phrase was adopted by Scandinavian Americans in the Upper Midwest and Pacific Northwest region of the United States during the 19th century. The Swedish exclamation usch då is similar in meaning and usage.
North American usage
Uff da can be used as an expression of surprise, astonishment, exhaustion, relief and sometimes dismay. Within Scandinavian-American culture, Uff da frequently translates to: "I am overwhelmed", somewhat similar to the Yiddish phrase oy vey. The phrase has become a marker of Scandinavian heritage, particularly for people from Iowa, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wisconsin, northern Illinois, Minnesota, Upper Peninsula of Michigan, and Northwestern Washington.[citation needed] Uff da can often be used as an alternative for many common obscenities. [1]
Norwegian usage
In Norwegian, uff or huff is an interjection used when something is unpleasant, uncomfortable, hurtful, annoying, sad, or irritating.[2] 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".[3]
See also
References
- ^ Lein, Rob. "Vikings bumble in draft? Uff da". Bismarck Tribune. Bismarck, North Dakota.
{{cite news}}:|access-date=requires|url=(help) - ^ "Søk i Bokmåls- og Nynorskordboka". Retrieved 2009-09-19.
- ^ Haugen, Einar (1985). Norwegian English dictionary : a pronouncing and translating dictionary of modern Norwegian [Bokmål and Nynorsk], with a historical and grammatical introduction. University of Wisconsin. ISBN 0-299-03874-2. OCLC 810529510.
Further reading
- Allen, Harold B. (1973). The Linguistic Atlas of the Upper Midwest, Volume 1, (Minneapolis: University of Minnesota Press), ISBN 978-0816606863. OCLC 658192.
- Haugen, Einar (1957) Beginning Norwegian: a grammar and reader (George G.Harrap & Co Ltd) ISBN 978-0245531378
- Lovoll, Odd S. (1998) The Promise Fulfilled: A Portrait of Norwegian Americans Today (Minneapolis: University of Minnesota Press) ISBN 9780816628322
- Mohr, Howard (1987) How to talk Minnesotan : a visitor's guide (New York, NY: Penguin Books) ISBN 978-0143122692
- Stangland, E. C. (1987). Red Strangland's Norwegian Home Companion. (Dorset Press). ISBN 978-0880295215.
- Stangland, E. C. (1988). Uff Da Jokes. (Norse Press). ISBN 978-0960269242.
- Clark, Jayne (July 25, 2002). "True blue North? You betcha!". USA Today.
External links
- Kinnes, Tormod. "Uff Da: Norwegian-American expressivity"
- "Uff da!" Archived from lawzone.com/half-nor/uffda.htm
- "Rock Bend Folk Festival 2007 – Al Batt". YouTube.