Word Nerds: Oof, Ew, Ai Yi Yi
Humans are prone to utter the most interesting interjections. Understatement, I know. Leaving aside those words that will get you making a deposit in the swear jar, let’s explore those odd guttural responses to surprise, getting hurt, and showing displeasure.
oof
Surprisingly, “oof” is an invented word. It’s most connected with pain, dismay, or even sympathy. Apparently, there is connection to the game Roboblox and “oof” which is uttered when the Robos are hit or regenerated. Tommy Tallarico, the original creator, is surprised how “oof” has become such a popular utterance, that is has become a verb, as in “I oofed my driving test by running up on the curb when I tried parallel parking my Mom’s suburban.”
ew
This one is traced back to the movie Clueless when a character expresses her disdain for immature teen boys, although it had been in use since the 1960s as “Ew, what’s that smell in your locker?”
aye yi yi
Probably derived from the Spanish/Latin languages, “aye yi yi” is often found in song lyrics, although it is also used to express pain, dismay, or even shock. For example, “Aye yi yi, the cat got into the meatloaf I set out for dinner.”
oy
Another interjection borrowed from a foreign language, “oy” is often teamed with “oy veh” and can express dismay, sadness, or grief. Once upon a time I lived way out in the country and the main road was a county maintained thoroughfare (please read in a dismissive tone) that was dented with potholes and washboarded to every vehicle’s detriment. Someone spraypainted an addition to the road sign “Vay” the word “Oy.” Yes, driving that road daily initiated that response of dismay.
ugh
Similar to “ew,” the interjection “ugh” was also made popular by Clueless; however, its use can be traced clear back to the 1670s. Trot this one when expressing disgust. “Ugh, we have a pop quiz today.”
yuck or yuk or yucky
If it’s gross it’s usually deemed as “yuck” or “yucky.” Going back to the sixties, the Poison Control center’s warning label used to be skull and crossbones, but there was the thought children would be attracted to the pirate aspect of that emblem and so the green unhappy face with the tongue sticking out became “Mr. Yuk,” providing a clear message to steer away from the substance.
oops
Then there is the ubiquitous “oops,” that interjection associated with making a mistake, a blunder, or being clumsy. Britney Spear’s gave “oops” some spotlight with album Oops!… I Did It Again.
What favorite go tos do you utter when surprised, disgusted, or wanting to express delight (especially when scrolling Instagram reels of capybaras).
Pam Webb 