Uff da (; sometimes also spelled oof-da, oofda, oofala, oof-dah, oofdah, huffda, uff-da, uffda, uff-dah, ufda, ', or uf daa) is a Scandinavian 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.
In Danish and Norwegian language, (Danish and older Norwegian spelling) or (current Norwegian spelling) is a mild and polite vernacular interjection used when something is unpleasant, uncomfortable, hurtful, annoying, sad, or irritating. The word is an onomatopoeia corresponding to English oof, Dutch and German . Other similar interjections exist in Danish, e.g. or , and Norwegian, e.g. . 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". is derived from Old Norse meaning 'then' in this context (similar to e.g. the response "ok, then"); both and English then (from Old English , , ) are derived from Proto-Germanic * ('at that (time), then'). The Swedish exclamations and are similar in meaning, with Swedish corresponding to Norwegian . Uff is a Swedish word with the same meaning as the Norwegian word, it is documented in writing from 1770.
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 and the Seattle neighborhood of Ballard. Its variety of meanings let it substitute for common obscenities. 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:
"Oofta" has been used as a pejorative verb, noun and adjective that was originated by Black jazz musicians in the first half of the 20th century. Having "oofta" implied that a Black performer or group was playing to appease white audiences. Ossie Davis admitted to documentarian Ken Burns in 2000 that some musicians had labeled the immensely popular Louis Armstrong as "oofta."
According to Burns, Davis later regretted this sentiment as he came to hold Armstrong in the highest esteem. In the 2014 film Dear White People, one character says another is an "oofta," saying he "modulates his blackness, up or down, depending on the crowd and what he wants from them."