I PHOTOGRAPHED THIS three-letter word on the wall outside the Flaten Art Museum inside the Dittman Center of St. Olaf College in Northfield.
It’s meant, I believe, to be a work of art.
If you were to write a definition of ugh, what would you write?
Would you choose a standard dictionary definition? A synonym?
Or would you draw on a memory? Think of a repulsive smell or taste? Picture a creepy bug or other frightening creature? Perhaps a scene?
Go ahead. Write your definition here. Let’s see what creative thoughts those three letters—u-g-h—can unleash. (Note, your comments are subject to my editorial discretion, meaning let’s steer clear of topics like politics. This is a family friendly blog.)
© Copyright 2016 Audrey Kletscher Helbling
Minnesota Prairie Roots 
The presidential list of candidates and the fact there seems nothing I can do about it.
I didn’t want to get into politics here. But since your comment is tastefully written, I’m OK with it. I share your feelings.
The sound you emit when you are handed another large project at work when you are already over capacity. UGH!
Sounds like it’s time for a vacation. Oh, wait, when you go on vacation then you return even further behind.
In less than 30 days my wife an I are off to the Emerald Isle. Can’t wait.
Excellent. It sounds like you need this get-away. I look forward to seeing your photos.
Ugh… That feeling I get when the alarm clock goes off before the sun has risen
Good answer. It’s been a difficult week adjusting to the time change.
Glad it’s not just me!
Oh, you definitely are not alone.
I believe I used this term to you the other day regarding the insanity of my life for the past few days. So my definition of “ugh” is thing after thing after thing piling up on top of each other, making me crazy!
You need a vacation. And then maybe, just maybe, try to say “no” to some requests upon your return.
I would offer the suggestion that the word UGH,,, would or could represent anything that may be considered “distasteful”
I agree.
I think of hug. I think of the ugh . . . traffic that I commute to and from work in. I think of ugh . . . as utter distaste or plain annoyance that just bugs the living you know what out of you – ha! I think of ugh . . . as a non-offensive swear word. Great Post Today – Love a Little Artful Word Play! Happy Day – Enjoy 🙂
Those all seem fitting definitions of ugh. When I saw that word on the wall at St. Olaf, I knew it could lead to an interesting blog and resulting comments.
ugh = a human vocal response to anything icky
A great and precise definition. Thank you, Carol.
UGH:
interjection
such as needing to give a blood sample when at the doctors office.
Thankfully that type of request does not bother me. I even donate blood.
Hopefully you will not have to give too many blood samples.
Your lucky, I hate needles!
I don’t necessarily like medical procedures. For example, I could not watch any type of surgery, even in a video. But needles don’t bother me which is good given I’ve had seven surgeries in my life.
I’m with you on this, modern medical technology has done tremendous things but I don’t need to see the particulars involved. I feel for you for having to go through those surgeries but I’m sure it was worth it in the long run. We have a tendency to take our health for granted. Human nature I suppose.
Well, you certainly know not to take your health for granted. A friend of ours just died unexpectedly on Monday. He was only 59, just like my husband and me.
I’m sorry to hear that, my condolences to friends and family.
When you think about it, aging is a really a great adventure and one that we all get to experience! I wouldn’t miss it for all the money in the world.
I love your attitude of viewing aging as a “great adventure.”
Thank you for the condolences.
“Ugh” is a lot of things. It’s when your professor assigns a 10 page research paper the Friday before a break and makes it due the Monday you get back. It’s when you spend hours trying to memorize lines for a play, and you still have to call, “LINE!” 20 times during a single monologue. It’s when a co-worker calls in sick, and your manager asks you to pull a double. It’s also when you get into a car, drive three hours, and realize you left your laptop charger plugged into the hotel wall. It’s something everyone can relate to. ^^
I really enjoyed reading your specific examples defining ugh. You made me laugh. And, yes, we can all relate.
I always aim for a chuckle! I’m glad you enjoyed it!
I did. I look forward to more entertaining comments from you.
“ugh.”
What I say to my face at 6:30 in the morning before I put on my makeup!! xx
Oh, Kim, I love your sense of humor. I am smiling right now at your words.
For me UGH…. is that feeling you have after Thanksgiving dinner at Grandma’s house. You’re stuffed full of turkey and seeking that nap. Then suddenly, your cousins want to play. Ugh…
You are bringing back memories with your comment. I remember eating too much of a “little lunch” at family birthday/anniversary gatherings with aunts, uncles and cousins. Consuming summer sausage sandwiches, dill pickles, and too many bars, all washed down with Kool-Aid, proved unsettling for the stomach. Especially given the midnight hour. Do you have similar memories?
Sooo much summer sausage!!! That was always around at Grandmas. Also the bars. My Aunt and Uncle bought the farm from Grandma and lived in the house that he built right across the yard. I’d eat lunch at Grandmas then go to see my Aunt for bars. I was so bad. We didn’t have much for the kool-aid there, it was coke instead. Even worse for your stomach. UGH! LOL. Thank God for my cousins getting some exercise into me. I miss those summers so much now.
I knew you would be able to relate to my memories.
Interestingly enough, I don’t eat sausage as an adult. Or bologna. Perhaps too much of it when I was growing up.
We only had pop on the rare occasion of those previously mentioned birthday and anniversary celebrations with extended family. It was a treat.
Yes I do! Such good memories too. I can do summer sausage in if its venison, otherwise its hit and miss. Bologna, yeah I’m with you on that one. I can still eat braunschweiger though. I can’t get enough of that.
You’re lucky, I grew to have a pop addiction that I’m currently getting rid of. I’ve resorted to kool-aid : )
No, no, no, not braunschweiger. I can hardly look at that, let alone eat it. Again, too much when I was a kid.
Growing up on a dairy farm, I drank milk. Well, and plenty of Kool-Aid, too, but only in the summer. Definitely no pop addiction. Good to hear you are working on that issue. But Kool-Aid? (I know/hope you’re joking, of course.)
Got me! I did manage to ditch pop for the last 2 months. I grew up drinking a lot of milk. Still love it!
Good for you. Stay strong.
I use the word “ugh” a lot! To me it’s an expression of frustration when things aren’t going right, when I feel sad or wronged or when I just dont get why????
Those are all good definitions. I don’t think I ever use the word.
Ugh – expression of unpleasantness that one must deal with. I believe I use this term daily! 😀
Oh, no, I hope there is not that much unpleasantness in your life. 😦
The natural response to a child waking up two hours too soon, on a Monday.
I assume that would be you this morning?
Yes, and I was not ready at all for that!
I don’t think any new mom can fully prepare herself for the utter exhaustion of caring for a newborn. There’s no definition for that type of tired.