"Ski-U-Mah" is a slogan used by the University of Minnesota since 1884, originally created as a cheer for the university's rugby team and later adopted by all Minnesota Golden Gophers athletics teams

. The phrase was coined by team captain John W. Adams, who heard Dakota boys shouting "ski-oo!" during canoe races at Lake Pepin and mistakenly believed it meant "victory" or "exultation" in the Dakota language

. His co-captain added "mah" to make it rhyme with "rah," completing the cheer as "Ski-U-Mah"

. However, linguistic experts and Dakota language specialists have clarified that "ski-oo" is not actually a Dakota word for victory; it is likely just an excited shout or interjection, similar to "woo hoo," without a specific meaning

. The "mah" was added primarily for rhyme and rhythm in the cheer

. The pronunciation is "sky-you-mah," with "ski" pronounced like "sky," not like the winter sport

. Over time, "Ski-U-Mah" has become a symbol of Minnesota pride and spirit, featured in university songs and displayed on football helmets, embodying a culture of perseverance known as "Row the Boat"

. In summary:

• "Ski-U-Mah" originated in 1884 at the University of Minnesota as a cheer inspired by a misheard Dakota shout.
• It was believed to mean "victory" but actually has no direct translation or meaning in Dakota.
• The phrase was modified to rhyme with other cheer sounds ("rah") by adding "mah."
• Pronounced "sky-you-mah."
• It is now a longstanding slogan representing Minnesota athletics and school spirit