"Uffda"

Uffda is our city’s unofficial motto. Every Syttende Mai in Stoughton Wisconsin all the citizens are Norwegian, regardless of our heritage. I can imagine how you felt bringing cheer to your mom! Thanks for posting.

-- gjd Southcentral Wisconsin

It’s the one word you won’t hear Norm say on his show!

-- Rick

LOL you wont here it from Norm true. But now I have a new word in my vocabulary!

-- The wood slayer - Yes dear I did plan to make more kindling out of that wood I have been drying for the last year - honest!

UFFDA!

Thanks! from a half Norwegian in Northern Minnesota.

-- -** You are never to old to set another goal or to dream a new dream ****************** Dick, & Barb Cain, Hibbing, MN. http://www.woodcarvingillustrated.com/gallery/member.php?uid=3627&protype=1

Boy, does this bring back memories. I spent 2 years in Minnesota about 20 years ago. I still use this word upon occasion, but it only gets blank stares here in Ohio.

-- "Find out what you cannot do and then go do it!"

Uffda is a powerful word. Use it carefully. (A <mostly> Norwegian from Metro Minnesota)

As a nativ Norwegian I can confirm the usage of the word “Uff da” or only “Uff” is very common in Norway.

From Wikipedia

Uff da in Norway
“Uff da” is still commonly used in contemporary Norwegian. It is usually written in the form “Uff, da” or “Uffda”. In Norwegian, uff is an interjection used when something is scary, uncomfortable, hurtful, annoying, sad or boring [1]. 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. The broader American usage would be baffling to most native Norwegian speakers.

-- Norwegian (living in Sarpsborg, Norway) http://www.masur.no

I live in Iowa now and have for about 15 years. I still find myself saying uffda when I lift something heavy. Still haven’t lost the intelligent northern minnesota accent either. thank goodness.

I don’t know if this is correct or not but, it was explained to me by a neighbor after a visit with some distant in-laws in Minnesota as follows.

It’s like when you lose your chewing gum in the chicken yard and you think you’ve found it for the third time.

-- Best regards, Jack -- I may not be good, but I'm slow -- www.BarnhillWoodworks.com

Dick just enlightened me to UFFDAs meaning a couple days ago. a good sign well done

-- W James Brokenbourgh Custom furniture maker http://artisticwoodstudio.com/

Nice work! Ha det fint!

-- L-H Johnsen,Sweden