Etymology Journal · W
Whoopsie daisy!
Meaning
- An exclamation of mild error or clumsiness, usually said after tripping or dropping something small. It is a polite and childish way to brush off a minor mistake.
Cute, dismissive
Used in a sentence
- Whoopsie daisy, I almost spilled my tea.
- I dropped the napkin on the floor, said whoopsie daisy, and picked it right back up.
- He tripped over his own feet and mumbled, whoopsie daisy.
The backstory
This is a variation of ups-a-daisy, which was historically used to encourage a child to get up after a fall. Over time, it became a synonym for accidental blunders.
Heard in
Nationwide
Vibe check