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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 brought by Scandinavian Americans in the Upper Midwest, New England, and Pacific Northwest regions of the United States during the 19th century. The Swedish exclamation ojdå is similar in meaning and usage.[1][2][3]
Norwegian usage[edit]
In Norwegian, uff or huff is an interjection used when something is unpleasant, uncomfortable, hurtful, annoying, sad, or irritating.[4]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'.[5]
North American usage[edit]
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. Uff da can often be used as an alternative for many common obscenities.[6]
The phrase has become a marker of Scandinavian heritage. The term is predominantly prevalent in the upper northwest regions of the United States.Uff-Da Airport in located in Stoughton, Wisconsin.[7]Various communities have incorporated the term into local festivals. The community of Spring Grove, Minnesota holds an annual Uffda Fest!. [8]The town of Ostrander, Minnesota holds an annual Uff Da Days event.[9]The city of Rutland, North Dakota holds an annual Uffda Day Fall Festival.[10][11]
See also[edit]
References[edit]
^'Uff Da defined'. Sons of Norway Blog. March 25, 2010. Retrieved March 1, 2019.
^Anette Broteng Christiansen (April 18, 2012). ''Uff da!' – A Piece of Norway in the U.S.' Thor News. Retrieved March 1, 2019.
^'ojdå'. Wiktionary. Retrieved March 1, 2019.
^'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. ISBN0-299-03874-2
^Rob Lein. 'Vikings bumble in draft? Uff da'. Bismarck Tribune. Retrieved 2009-09-19.
^'Uff-Da Airport'. airnav.com. 28 February 2019. Retrieved March 1, 2019.
^'UffDa Fest!'. Spring Grove Lions Club. Retrieved March 1, 2019.
^'Uff Da Days'. Ostrander, MN. Retrieved March 1, 2019.
^'Uffda Day'. rutlandnd.com. Retrieved March 1, 2019.
^Martin, Jonathan, 'Court Battle Shifts the Political Terrain for Senators in the Heartland', New York Times, October 7, 2018. Retrieved 2018-10-08.
Further reading[edit]
Allen, Harold B. (1973). The Linguistic Atlas of the Upper Midwest, Volume 1, (Minneapolis: University of Minnesota Press), ISBN978-0816606863. OCLC 658192.
Haugen, Einar (1957) Beginning Norwegian: a grammar and reader (George G.Harrap & Co Ltd) ISBN978-0245531378
Lovoll, Odd S. (1998) The Promise Fulfilled: A Portrait of Norwegian Americans Today (Minneapolis: University of Minnesota Press) ISBN9780816628322
Mohr, Howard (1987) How to talk Minnesotan : a visitor's guide (New York, NY: Penguin Books) ISBN978-0143122692
Stangland, E. C. (1987). Red Strangland's Norwegian Home Companion. (Dorset Press). ISBN978-0880295215.
Stangland, E. C. (1988). Uff Da Jokes. (Norse Press). ISBN978-0960269242.
Clark, Jayne (July 25, 2002). 'True blue North? You betcha!'. USA Today.
External links[edit]
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.
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