Uff da

Norwegian-Texan mug

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 adopted by Scandinavian Americans in the Upper Midwest region of the United States during the 19th century. The Swedish exclamation usch då is similar in meaning and usage.

North American usage

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". The phrase has become a marker of Scandinavian heritage, particularly for people from Iowa, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wisconsin, northern Illinois, Minnesota, and Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Uff da can often be used as an alternative for many common obscenities. ^[1]

Norwegian Usage

In Norwegian, uff or huff is an interjection used when something is unpleasant, uncomfortable, hurtful, annoying, sad, or irritating.^[2] 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".^[3]

List of cultural references

Sign in front of the Uff Da Shoppe in Westby, WI

• The Uff Da Shoppe in Westby, Wisconsin, a town with a strong Norwegian heritage.
• The Uffda Shop in Red Wing, Minnesota, selling various Scandinavian and Minnesotan souvenirs, craft, gifts, and folk art.^[4]
• The Uff da Mountain Boys is a band from the Fergus Falls, Minnesota, area, playing Scandinavian and bluegrass music.^[5]
• New Glarus Brewing Company markets a brand of beer called Uff-da Bock.^[6]
• The logo of the Fargo Marathon includes the phrase 26.2 miles  ... Uffda!^[7]
• Panaracer, a Bicycle tire maker, has a tire type called Uff Da!. It is intended for urban Dirt Jumping use.^[8]
• Uff Da Airport (2WI1) is located in Stoughton, Wisconsin.^[9]
• A citizens' group called Uff-Da Wal-Mart campaigned against the construction of a Wal-Mart Supercenter in Stoughton, Wisconsin.^[10]
• There is an OOVVDA Winery in Springfield, MO, that is a homonym for Uff da and is also an acronym - opened in 2005.^[11]
• Uff-Da Tacos is a food stand based in the St. Paul exurb of Stillwater that travels to county fairs and other events across the Midwest.^[12]
• The Uff Da Mud Run is an athletic event in Grand Forks, North Dakota.^[13]
• Uffda Chips are made from lefse in Rushford, MN, by Norseland Kitchens.
• UFFDA intersection is an aviation waypoint about 8 miles west of Marshall, Minnesota^[14]

See also

• Culture of Minnesota
• 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), ISBN 978-0816606863. OCLC 658192.
• Haugen, Einar (1957) Beginning Norwegian: a grammar and reader (George G.Harrap & Co Ltd) ISBN 978-0245531378
• Lovoll, Odd S. (1998) The Promise Fulfilled: A Portrait of Norwegian Americans Today (Minneapolis: University of Minnesota Press) ISBN 9780816628322
• Mohr, Howard (1987) How to talk Minnesotan : a visitor's guide (New York, NY: Penguin Books) ISBN 978-0143122692
• Stangland, E. C. (1987). Red Strangland's Norwegian Home Companion. (Dorset Press). ISBN 978-0880295215. 
• Stangland, E. C. (1988). Uff Da Jokes. (Norse Press). ISBN 978-0960269242. 
• Clark, Jayne (July 25, 2002). "True blue North? You betcha!". USA Today. 

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.