Uff da
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Uff da (Template:IPAc-en; sometimes also spelled oof-da, oofda, oofala, oof-dah, oofdah, huffda, uff-da, uffda, uff-dah, ufda, Template:Not a typo, or uf daaScript error: No such module "Unsubst".) is a Scandinavian[2] exclamation or interjection used to express dismay, typically upon hearing bad news.
Of Norwegian origin, the phrase was brought to the United States by Scandinavian Americans specifically to the Upper Midwest, New England, and Pacific Northwest regions of the United States during the 19th century, where its meaning was broadened to express also surprise, astonishment, exhaustion, or relief.
Danish and Norwegian usage
In Danish and Norwegian language, Script error: No such module "Lang". (Danish and older Norwegian spelling) or Script error: No such module "Lang". (current Norwegian spelling) is a mild and polite vernacular interjection used when something is unpleasant, uncomfortable, hurtful, annoying, sad, or irritating.[3][4] The word is an onomatopoeia[5] corresponding to English oof, Dutch Script error: No such module "Lang". and German Script error: No such module "Lang".. Other similar interjections exist in Danish, e.g. Script error: No such module "Lang". or Script error: No such module "Lang".,[3] and Norwegian, e.g. Script error: No such module "Lang"..[5] Script error: No such module "Lang". 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".[6] Script error: No such module "Lang". is derived from Old Norse Script error: No such module "Lang". meaning 'then' in this context (similar to e.g. the response "ok, then"); both Script error: No such module "Lang". and English then (from Old English Script error: No such module "Lang"., Script error: No such module "Lang"., Script error: No such module "Lang".) are derived from Proto-Germanic *Script error: No such module "Lang". ('at that (time), then').[7] The Swedish exclamations Script error: No such module "Lang". and Script error: No such module "Lang". are similar in meaning, with Swedish Script error: No such module "Lang". corresponding to Norwegian Script error: No such module "Lang"..[8][9][10] Uff is a Swedish word with the same meaning as the Norwegian word, it is documented in writing from 1770. [11][12]
North American usage
Uff da is a marker of Scandinavian heritage, predominantly heard in the upper Midwest, which has a significant population with Scandinavian roots. It also is used throughout the Pacific Northwest, particularly in the Washington city of Stanwood[13] and the Seattle neighborhood of Ballard.[14] Its variety of meanings let it substitute for common obscenities. [15] Within Scandinavian-American culture, uff da frequently translates to "I am overwhelmed", somewhat similar to the Yiddish phrase oy vey.
It has also been applied to places and events, such as:
- Uff-Da Airport, located in Stoughton, Wisconsin.[16]
- Uffda Fest!, an annual event held in Spring Grove, Minnesota.[17]
- Uff Da Days, an annual event held in Ostrander, Minnesota.[18]
- Uffda Day Fall Festival, an annual event held in Rutland, North Dakota.[19][20]
- The Uff-Da Shoppe, located in Stanwood, Washington.[21]
- Uff Da! Sign Store, located in Wausau, Wisconsin. [22]
See also
- Culture of Minnesota
- Culture of the Upper Peninsula of Michigan
- Culture of Wisconsin
- List of English words of Norwegian origin
References
Further reading
- Allen, Harold B. (1973). The Linguistic Atlas of the Upper Midwest, Volume 1, (Minneapolis: University of Minnesota Press), Template:ISBN. OCLC 658192.
- Haugen, Einar (1957) Beginning Norwegian: a grammar and reader (George G.Harrap & Co Ltd) Template:ISBN
- Lovoll, Odd S. (1998) The Promise Fulfilled: A Portrait of Norwegian Americans Today (Minneapolis: University of Minnesota Press) Template:ISBN
- Mohr, Howard (1987) How to talk Minnesotan : a visitor's guide (New York, NY: Penguin Books) Template:ISBN
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External links
- 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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- ↑ 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. Template:ISBN
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- ↑ Martin, Jonathan, "Court Battle Shifts the Political Terrain for Senators in the Heartland", New York Times, October 7, 2018. Retrieved 2018-10-08.
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