Uff da facts for kids
Uff da! (sometimes also spelled oof-da, oofda, oofala, oof-dah, oofdah, huffda, uff-da, uffda, uff-dah, ufda, ufdah, or uf daa) is an exclamation or interjection used to express dismay, typically upon hearing bad news. Of Norwegian origin, the phrase was brought by Scandinavian Americans to the Upper Midwest, New England, and Pacific Northwest regions of the United States during the 19th century.
Danish and Norwegian usage
In Danish and Norwegian language, uf (Danish and older Norwegian spelling) or uff (current Norwegian spelling) is a mild and polite vernacular interjection used when something is unpleasant, uncomfortable, hurtful, annoying, sad, or irritating. The word is an onomatopoeia corresponding to English oof, Dutch oef and German uff. Other similar interjections exist in Danish, e.g. uhu or føj, and Norwegian, e.g. huff. Uff da may be used in Norwegian as a response when hearing something lamentable (but not too serious), and can be translated as "Oh, I'm sorry to hear that". Da is derived from Old Norse þá meaning 'then' in this context (similar to e.g. the response "ok, then"); both da and English then (from Old English þanne, þænne, þonne) are derived from Proto-Germanic *þan ('at that (time), then'). The Swedish exclamations ojdå and usch då are similar in meaning, with Swedish då corresponding to Norwegian da.
North American usage
Uff da is a general purpose expression of surprise, astonishment, exhaustion, relief and sometimes dismay. It can therefore be a substitute for common obscenities. Within Scandinavian-American culture, uff da frequently translates to "I am overwhelmed", somewhat similar to the Yiddish phrase oy vey.
The phrase is a marker of Scandinavian heritage. The term is predominantly heard in the upper Midwest, which has a significant population with Scandinavian roots. It also is seen throughout the Pacific Northwest, particularly in the Washington cities of Ballard and Stanwood. It has been applied to names of places and events, such as:
- Uff-Da Airport, located in Stoughton, Wisconsin.
- Uffda Fest!, an annual event held in Spring Grove, Minnesota.
- Uff Da Days, an annual event held in Ostrander, Minnesota.
- Uffda Day Fall Festival, an annual event held in Rutland, North Dakota.
- The Uff-Da Shoppe, located in Stanwood, Washington.
