Uff Da!
Apr 05, 2020
These days we sometimes are at a loss for words to describe what we are feeling. Let me help with that. Today let’s examine the Norwegian term “Uff Da”.
First the pronunciation of the word. The sound is most like the word “roof” as opposed to “rough”. Now that we can say it let’s find out where it comes from and the right situations in which to use it
In Norwegian, uff or huff is an interjection used when something is unpleasant, uncomfortable, hurtful, annoying, sad, or irritating. 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".
As the Scandinavians populated the upper Midwest the term expanded.
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".
However, to many Scandinavians "Uff Da" is an all-purpose expression covering a variety of situations, such as:
Uff Da is the same as Charlie Brown's "Good Grief".
Uff Da is waking yourself up in church with your own snoring.
Uff Da is trying to pour two buckets of manure into one bucket.
Uff Da is when your two "steady" girl friends find out about each other.
When immigrants came to the United States from Norway one of the ways they endeavored to become “Americans” was to speak only English in the presence of children. Well almost only English. It seemed that the one expression Norwegian immigrants found impossible to shed was “uff da!”
The phrase has become a marker of Scandinavian heritage. As a result, the term is predominantly prevalent in the Upper Midwest, United States, but feel free to use the term as your own. It works, especially in these times.
Uff da!