inspired by c.ann's thread..."geez"

[caitycaity]

geez Pronunciation Key (jz)
interj.
Used to express mild surprise, delight, dissatisfaction, or annoyance.


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[Shortening and alteration of Jesus.]

if you think that it is innapropriate to say "Jesus!" or "Jesus Christ!" when you are not praying, do you think using "geez" is ok? why or why not?

i personally don't have an opinion on this -- just curious to hear what other people think.

 

[Michelle]

I never thought of geez as being short for Jesus!

I just think of it as "gee" with a "z" on the end! As in "geez Louise"!

Not offensive at all.

 

[Saffron]

Ditto to what WM Michelle said.

 

[nativetxn]

Is the word geez short for Jesus???? EEEK

I had no idea. I use that word even though my Texas family makes fun of me for doing so, they have no mercy

 

[Nutsy]

For me I don't associate it with Christ in any way. But I know some people who do tho.

 

[Rajah]

I don't associate it with Jesus, though I've heard that's where it originated. I use Geez all the time.

 

[caitycaity]

"Is the word geez short for Jesus???? EEEK"

yup -- that is what the word geez means -- it is short for jesus.

one may not personally associate it with jesus, but if one feels it is against the 10 commandments to take the lord's name in vain, in any form, than i guess this counts too.

i found this link to be interesting...

http://www.llano.net/baptist/christiancursing.htm

 

[Buckalew]

I never thought of it that way but reading the definition sure makes me think twice. Darn bad habits.

Yup, Caity. I think you are right.

 

[SeaSpray]

caity is right...."geez" is considered to be a euphamism (sp?) for "Jesus".

It's a hard habit to try and break, but I try to not say "oh my God", "Geez!" "Jesus!" etc. when I'm surprised, startled, etc.

 

[Planogirl]

I always thought that "geez" was "gee whiz" run together? But then what exactly is "gee whiz"?

 

[aahmom1]

I say it all the time, so I must not find it offensive. LOL

 

[C.Ann]

Oh my "goodness".. Geez is bad too?? I never knew that..

Okay - cross another word off the list.. LOL

 

[caitycaity]

i have read that "gee whiz" is short for jesus wizard, but i don't know if that is true. it is related to jesus though.

http://www.geocities.com/etymonline/g1etym.htm

click and search for "gee whiz."

http://www.wordwithyou.com/columns/2_16_99.gif

 

[WillyJ]

I always thought it was from "gee-whiz" . . . you know, that awful stuff you put on crackers??





Seriously, I wasn't aware of that Caity. . interesting topic; thanks for sharing it!

 

[caitycaity]

hey! i like cheez whiz! LOL

 

[honeywolf7]

I don't know why, but this one bothers me more than OMG actually.

 

[Beauty]

I never knew that either Caity, hummm you learn something new every day. I always just thought jeez-whiz (not to be confused with Cheese Whiz ) But I say it all the time and have never thought of it as offensive....also never thought of it to have anything to do with Jesus, but your right it obviously does. Thats something I'll have to ask my mother (the church pianoist) if she knows.

 

[KimRaye]

Oh boy, my limited religious background is being tested tonight!

'Geez', in my book I guess, is Gee Whiz, as both a ? and !, not about Jesus but, I understand the impressions some may feel about it being otherwise. "Geez Louise"??? When did Louise become biblical? (If Louise IS biblical than, that just reflects my limited background)

And, here's one for ya ~ DD's Pre-K (Lutheran school) teacher started DD saying the phrase "Holy Smoly Oley" (not sure on the spelling but....) what's that about???!!! "Oh my Gosh" is reprimanded but, HSO??? WHAT'S a Holy Smoley Oley??? (On 2nd thought, don't answer that!)

With a teacher like that, DD shouldn't have any problem with rhyming, right???

 

[Jeff in BigD]

I'd never heard that before & what's "Jesus Wizard"?

 

[Mermaid02]

I swear way too much..... so if I say Geez... I consider it a good thing.

Jesus Wizard huh? Never heard of him.