Oops!

This expression is mostly used as an exclamation to indicate a mistake or mishap and sometimes excitement or exultation. It has been in use since the 16th century. When used in the forms of oops-a-daisy or oopsie the exclamations are usually addressed to small children who are about to fall or who have fallen over. Alternative spellings are whoops-a-daisy and whoopsie. Another form is ups-a-daisy although the use of the word ‘up’ here indicates that this expression is used when children have fallen and are urged to get up. Apart from the obvious meaning of ‘up’ in the aforementioned example, the origin and etymology of ‘oops’ and the suffix ‘a-daisy’ are not known. As with many expressions addressed to small children, the mollifying sound of the words is more important than the meaning or etymology.