Uff da
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Uff da is an exclamation, of Scandinavian origins, that is relatively common in the Upper Midwestern states of the United States, meaning roughly 'drats', 'oops!', or 'ouch!', especially if the 'ouch!' is an empathetic one. The vowel in the first word is usually pronounced approximately similar to the vowel in the English word "book," though it is also pronounced with a long [u] sound, as in "snooze".
"Uff da" is often used in the Upper Midwest as a term for sensory overload. It can be used as an expression of surprise, astonishment, exhaustion, and sometimes dismay. The term can also be used when one is relieved, after a difficult or exhausting task. The term has been heard among men when a particularly attractive woman enters a room. Conversely, many Roto-rooter and septic system repair trucks have "Uff da" proudly painted on the back.
The term has Scandinavian origins although Swedes and Norwegians will argue who truly has ownership.
In Norwegian, "Uff da" is often spoken in a sympathetic sense, often used to show compassion to somebody. Let's say a man has broken a bone. One might take a look at it, and then say "Uff da, det ser ikke så bra ut"; meaning something like "Man, that doesn't look too good".
The term can also be spelled uff-da, uffda, uff-dah, oofda, ufda, oofta and ufta. An infrequent variant, "oofda YAY" is sometimes heard, presumably from Norw. "uff da jeg", and expresses that the disapproval expressed directly impacts the speaker (as in "woe is me!"). However, this variant does not actually make sense in Norwegian, since "uff da jeg" translates as "ouch, I...." The correct version in Norwegian would be "uff da meg", usually shortened to "uffa meg"
See also
List of English words of Norwegian origin In Norwegian Midwestern USA cultures, "Uff Da" translates into: "I am overwhelmed." It still translates the same in some parts of Norway.External links
English meaning: "I am overwhelmed"
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