oops a daisy

[slovetthorn]

Can anyone tell me where 'oops/ups a daisy' originates?

[Quizmonster]

Its earliest appearance in print was in the 1860s as 'upsa-daesy'. It appears to have no connection with the flower, as such, but the 'ups' or 'oops' part is just a natural exclamation suggesting surprise. (We also use it when we nearly bump into someone, for example.) When suddenly lifting a child, the same element of surprise - and delight for the 'victim' - is present. As for the rest of the word, it might just as easily have been 'dinky', 'bumpy' or any other similar rhythmic sounds.