Meaning
An expression of one's own physical pain.
Etymology
Origin: German
Uncertain. Some sources say the interjection is attested since 1838 (and specifically in American English) and derives ultimately from German autsch, perhaps specifically via Pennsylvania German outch (“cry of pain”), as early attestations of the interjection are from Pennsylvania. However, others say the interjection is a "mere" or "natural" exclamation attested since the mid 1600s, and the 1933 OED cites one instance of a verb "ouch" in 1654, "Sancho Pancas Runs Ouching round the mountaine like a ranck-Asse".
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
oofowowieyouchyowyowchooch
NYT Puzzle Appearances
Accepted in 8 recorded puzzles: