uff da

See also: uffda

English

Alternative forms

Etymology

From Norwegian, brought to the US by Scandinavian settlers.

Pronunciation

  • IPA(key): /ˈʊfdə/, /ˈufdə/
    • Audio (US):(file)

Interjection

uff da

  1. (Upper Midwestern US) Expressing surprise, dismay, relief, exhaustion, or a sudden shock to the senses.

Norwegian Bokmål

Etymology

From uff (“interjection expressing alarm, discomfort, regret, etc.”) + da (“unstressed affective particle”).

The first element is onomatopoeic or sound-symbolic; compare huff (“interjection expressing discomfort, dismay, exasperation, etc.”), likewise a sound word with substantially overlapping uses. In this unstressed affective use after interjections and strong expressions, da continues Old Norse þó (“nevertheless, still”), rather than the temporal adverb þá (“then, at that time”).

Pronunciation

  • IPA(key): /ˈʉfː da/, [ˈʉfː dɑ]
  • Rhymes: -ʉfːda
  • Hyphenation: uff da

Interjection

uff da

  1. An exclamation expressing alarm, dismay, concern, sympathy, or regret, especially in response to something unpleasant or unfortunate; oh dear, oh no
    • 1909, Henrik Ibsen, Efterladte Skrifter, volume I, Sancthansnatten, page 397:
      Paulsen: «Der gaaer en aand …» – Juliane (forskrækket): «Uf da! – hvor?»
      Paulsen: “There is a spirit about…” — Juliane (frightened): “Oh dear! — Where?”
    • 1874, Henrik Ibsen, Peer Gynt, page 93:
      uf da! Hug han ikke fingren af!
      Oh dear! Do not chop his finger off!

Usage notes

  • When da is treated as a separate discourse particle, the expression may be punctuated uff, da!
  • The expression was borrowed into American English through Norwegian-American usage and became especially associated with Scandinavian-American communities in the Upper Midwest. In American English, it developed a broader range and may also express surprise, astonishment, exhaustion, or relief.[1]
  • huff da (“similar interjection”)

Descendants

  • → English: uff da

References

  1. ^ Hall, Joan Houston, ed. (2012), Dictionary of American Regional English, volume V (Sl–Z), Cambridge, Massachusetts: Belknap Press of Harvard University Press.
  • “uff” in The Bokmål Dictionary.
  • “da” in The Bokmål Dictionary.
  • “uff” in Norwegian Academy Dictionary (NAOB).
  • “da” in Norwegian Academy Dictionary (NAOB).
This page is issued from Wiktionary. The text is available under Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 unless otherwise noted. Additional terms may apply for the media files.