I’ve never heard the word “oof” before - in English (it’s a very popular Hebrew interjection). What does it mean?
“oof” means someone just punched you in the stomach.
I picked my oof up from some Italian-American friends, but given this is NYC I’m sure a little cultural cross-pollinating has been going on. “Oof” is usually an answer to another person’s comment, and can mean something like “oh no,” “oh my god,” “oh please,” “gimme a break” … you name it, depending upon the tone in which you say it and the facial expression that goes with it. “Oofah” is for extra emphasis.
Some examples:
oof (plain) = oh man = sigh (a comment in and of itself, not a response)
oof + some wrinkling of the brow = oh no, that’s too bad
oof + wince + slight turn away = oh that sounds terrible
oof + rolleyes = oh please
oof + rolleyes + shake of your head = oh god, i can’t believe it either (the sympathy oof)
oofah (emphasis on the 2nd syllable) + hands thrown in the air = omigod, gimme a break would you?
The tone of voice, though, is really key to imparting whatever nuance you want to convey. And that, my friends, is the beauty of “oof” - it can be whatever you want it to be.
I’ve heard it as “Oofa”, as spoken by people in/from the city (NYC). I don’t know of many natural-born Albanyites* that say it.
It’s usually said when something stinks or in place of “ooh that’s harsh”. There are probably more instances, but those are the two off the top of my head.
*[sup]I know it should be Albanians, but everyone would think I’m talking about Albania[/sup]
Sunfish beat me to it. That’s what I get for doing work while I’m posting. Where are my priorities??
Sheesh!
No, that’s the evil genius laugh. The over-the-top ridicule laugh is, “BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!”
You see.
Esprix
Or how about Muah for a long distance kiss?
THWUNK! wiggany wiggany wiggany
An arrow hitting its target (and vibrating)
Fah toomch
Stepping on a rake and the handle impacting your forehead
Sklish
barefoot stepping on a “present” from your dog
“heh” is an online chat staple for me. A general expression for everything from “mild amusement” to “that’s not really funny but I don’t want to hurt your feelings.” I also use “eh” and “meh” more often than I probably should.
On the topic of little irritating phrases… my brother has the incredibly annoying habit of saying “BAH” in a loud, Scroogesque voice whenever something doesn’t go his way. Drives me up the wall.
Actually, now that I think of it, my brother’s “BAH” is more analogous to the “BAH” often voiced by the late Bert, from Sluggy Freelance. Odd that I’d find his version of the exclamation so annoying, then…
Many more variations when considering bodylanguage but that pretty much summed up our ‘uffa’ usage over here as well. Conversations are frequently peppered with it, along with ‘ma’ (like the meh but w/ an ‘a’). ‘Boh’ is common a common reply to various questions.
In the family oy! ack! and feh!(and the triple feh) are used generously.
What annoys me though are the ‘tisks’. The little sound we make when giving a negative reply usually accompanied by a nod or shake of thehead. Oddly enough I’ve noticed regional variations on the ‘tisk’. Sicilians do a single while those from the north do a double. And the Spanish I’ve come across do a triple.