Uff da

Uff da (/ˈʊfdə/ ⓘ; sometimes also spelled oof-da, oofda, oofala, oof-dah, oofdah, huffda, uff-da, uffda, uff-dah, ufda, ufdah, or uf daa[citation needed]) is an American Scandinavian exclamation or interjection used to express dismay, typically upon hearing bad news.

Of Norwegian origin, the phrase was brought by Scandinavian Americans 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.

[2][3] The word is an onomatopoeia[4] corresponding to English oof, Dutch oef and German uff.

It also is used throughout the Pacific Northwest, particularly in the Washington city of Stanwood[12] and the Seattle neighborhood of Ballard.

[14] Within Scandinavian-American culture, uff da frequently translates to "I am overwhelmed", somewhat similar to the Yiddish phrase oy vey.