Etymology

phew

P3H4E1W4

Today it means: Used to express relief of tension, fatigue, or surprise. Full definition →

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The story

Attested since the early 17th century. An onomatopoeia for rapid exhalation, as one may make when a trying situation is over, or in order to get rid of an unpleasant odour. Compare Scots feuch, Spanish fu, Czech fuj, and many more such forms.

Etymology from Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.