Jesus H. Christ
English
[edit]
Etymology
[edit]Unknown. Extension of Jesus Christ with a fantastical middle initial, perhaps derived from a reading of ΙΗΣ (IĒS) (sometimes ΙΗϹ (IĒS), using a lunate sigma), a Greek-alphabet abbreviation for Jesus (ΙΗΣΟΥΣ) as three initials in Latin letters. See "Christogram" at Wikipedia.
The earliest use of the phrase is unknown, although according to Mark Twain (1835-1910) it was already common in the region of Hannibal, Missouri when he was a boy.
Interjection
[edit]- (potentially offensive) Expression of surprise, shock, etc., invoking the name of Jesus Christ (and taking it in vain).
- Near-synonyms: Jesus fucking Christ; Christ almighty; good God; Jesus, Mary and Joseph
- 1980 June, Dan Aykroyd, John Landis, The Blues Brothers, Universal Pictures:
- Jake: Yes! Yes! Jesus H. tap-dancing Christ, I have seen the light!
- 1985, Andrew Bergman, Fletch, Universal Pictures:
- Stanton Boyd: Jesus H. Christ on a popsicle stick. First of all... Alan Stanwyk does not own one single share of stock.
- 2004, James McManus, Positively Fifth Street[1]:
- “I’m gonna get outta their way,” he mutters, then snorts without mirth. “All I had were jacks.” We believe him, of course. What are jacks, after all, once Beelzebub and Jesus H. Christ get involved?
- 2004, Marsha Moyer, The Last of the Honky-tonk Angels[2]:
- “Jesus H. Christ on the cross,” he said. He caught my reflected gaze and held it. “How long have you known about this?”
Usage notes
[edit]Potentially offensive to devout Christians, for uttering the Lord's name in vain.
Quotations
[edit]- For quotations using this term, see Citations:Jesus H. Christ.
Synonyms
[edit]Derived terms
[edit]References
[edit]- Cassidy, Frederick G., 1995. "More on Jesus H. Christ," American Speech 70:370.
- Smith, Roger, 1994. "The H of Jesus H. Christ," American Speech 69:331-335.
- Why do folks say "Jesus H. Christ"?, from The Straight Dope
- Explanation from WorldWideWords by Michael Quinion
- Harold be thy name!