How Do You Spell UH-OH?

Pronunciation: [ˈʌˈə͡ʊ] (IPA)

The interjection "uh-oh" is commonly used to indicate surprise, concern, or dismay. In IPA phonetic transcription, the first syllable is represented as "ʌ," which is a short, back, and unrounded vowel sound. The second syllable is spelled with the vowel sound "oʊ," which is a diphthong that starts as a mid to low back vowel and glides up to a high back rounded vowel. The hyphen indicates a slight pause between the two syllables. It is important to spell "uh-oh" correctly to convey its intended meaning in written communication.

UH-OH Meaning and Definition

  1. Uh-oh is an interjection commonly used to convey a sense of alarm, surprise, mild distress, or concern about an impending or unforeseen negative outcome. It is often uttered spontaneously in response to an unexpected, unfavorable situation or as a preemptive expression of worry before such a situation arises. While not officially recognized in most dictionaries as a standalone word, uh-oh is widely understood, especially in informal or conversational contexts.

    The term "uh-oh" typically implies a sudden realization or acknowledgement that something may have gone wrong or is about to go wrong. It serves as a concise way to convey a variety of negative emotions, such as worry, fear, apprehension, or disappointment. The intonation and timing of its delivery can also vary to emphasize the level of concern or urgency associated with the situation at hand.

    By its nature, "uh-oh" suggests a potential problem or the need for immediate action or attention. It often prompts individuals to become more alert, cautious, or ready to address or mitigate the undesirable outcome. Depending on the circumstances and tone of its usage, uh-oh might also carry a degree of lightheartedness, humor, or playfulness, particularly when used among friends or in less serious situations.

    Overall, "uh-oh" serves as a linguistic tool that captures and expresses a range of involuntary emotional responses to unexpected or unfavorable events, serving as a concise way to communicate a sense of unease or concern.

Common Misspellings for UH-OH

  • yh-oh
  • hh-oh
  • jh-oh
  • ih-oh
  • 8h-oh
  • 7h-oh
  • ug-oh
  • un-oh
  • uj-oh
  • uu-oh
  • uy-oh
  • uh0oh
  • uhpoh
  • uh-ih
  • uh-kh
  • uh-lh
  • uh-ph
  • uh-0h
  • uh-9h
  • uh-og

Etymology of UH-OH

The word "uh-oh" is an example of onomatopoeia, which means it is based on the sound it represents. However, the etymology of "uh-oh" as a phrase is not well-documented. It is often considered a universally understood expression of surprise, concern, or mild distress.

While there is no definitive source for the word's etymology, it likely originated from the spontaneous articulation of various vowel and consonant sounds that people make when feeling surprised or worried. The repeated similar sounds, "uh" and "oh", create a rhythm that conveys the sense of something unexpected taking place.

Due to its simplicity and intuitive nature, "uh-oh" is understood across many cultures and languages, despite minor variations in pronunciation.