Using Jesus Christ as an expletive?

[Disturbed]

I hear &/or read that quite often. It is sort of strange to me everytime. I don't get it. Anyone have an explanation?

[HereSince1628]

1. I wouldn't be surprised if it didn't grow out of a cry of despair.

But that's just a guess

[pinkpops]

2. Well

most of the time it is probably a thoughtless expression.
Could be taken as a plea for help - "Jesus help me"

Perry White (editor for Clark Kent, Lois Lane) used the expression "Great Cesar's Ghost" in the same way, at least on TV

[baldguy]

3. My confirmation class teacher said that it was really a prayer.

Most Catholics aren't as wise as Brother Ted was.

[evlbstrd]

4. It's a fine old Catholic tradition.

Like invoking a saint. Then, add whiskey.

[Disturbed]

6. Some people exclaim words such as

shit, damn, goddamn, fuck etc. when they hurt themselves,are angry or frustrated and some exclaim Jesus Christ. That's what I mean.

[evlbstrd]

8. That's why the "Name in vain" clause is there.

It really does originate from the aforementioned invocations. Over time, it all got blended in with the "earthy" words we less refined folk like to use.

[Stuckinthebush]

5. I like it because it rolls off the tongue easily

and the inflections are great...JE-sus Kuh-riest!

"God Damn It" does not roll as nicely. It is too choppy.

Jesus Christ is actually my expletive of choice because of its smooth nature and ability to represent my exact level of exasperation. Oh, and when in a closed car, people can tell what you are saying from outside.

Very effective.

[Boojatta]

7. Gee. Geez. Jeez. Gee Whiz.

Okay, what qualities do you look for in an expletive when you are shopping around for an expletive to add to your spoken vocabulary?

[Dogmudgeon]

9. "Madalyn Murray O'Fuck!"

I actually knew someone who used that as an expletive. Yes, he was an atheist, but I think he used it for effect.

The "effect" was usually laughter.

--p!

[madrchsod]

10. my grandmother had a fit when i used that as a kid

she was a religious woman but never went to church...

[C_U_L8R]

11. Jesus H. Christ On A Trailer Hitch !!!

[Disturbed]

12. One has to wonder what sort of person that is.

Jesus on a trailor hitch. It does get attention!

Some of the responses here are funny. LOL

[TallahasseeGrannie]

13. I prefer

"Lord have mercy!" which I learned from my Floridian mother. Or shortened, just "Have Mercy!"

When sorely pressed I include the whole family: "Jesus, Mary and Joseph!"

And when I stub my toe I usually mutter "Mother Freaking ****ker!"

But I'm from New Jersey.

[Evoman]

14. I use it because its sacrilegious and attention getting.

My favourite...I made it up.. "Jesus Fucking Christ of The Bladder-day Taints"

You gotta know what a taint is to think its funny.

[Goblinmonger]

15. There have been only a few moments when I was truely shocked

when watching Family Guy. I think the show is hilarious, but the shock of "did they just say that on TV" isn't often for me. When Stewie said to Brian "Don't forget my taint" I was glad I had it on DVR so I could rewind and watch it several times almost pissing my pant while doing so.

[TallahasseeGrannie]

16. Okay, now you have to tell me

what is a taint?

I hope it isn't as embarrassing as asking my son in law what a camel toe is.

[beam me up scottie]

17. No, you didn't?

"asking my son in law what a camel toe is"

:spray:

ROFLMAO !!!

What did your poor son in law say?

[TallahasseeGrannie]

20. He turned three shades of purple

and said something about ladies wearing tight pants. Eventually my daughter clued me in.

[beam me up scottie]

22. Heh heh!

Reminds me of the time I took a late lunch and was stuck in the cafeteria with my elderly boss, my cowardly coworkers had just told him that men get their tongues pierced for only one reason and said that I would explain it to him as they left to go back to their nice safe cubicles.

[Goblinmonger]

18. Check your PM

I don't want to get this thread locked. And yes it is ass bad.

[charlie]

19. Heh. At least you got a discreet explanation

and didn't fire off a fevered letter about drugs and amphibians to a syndicated columnist. That's embarrassing.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/fuzzysquid/52253325/

[trotsky]

21. Also check the Urban Dictionary for some great laughs.

http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=taint

[NAO]

23. Does anyone know what the "H" stands for?

What was Jesus' middle name? Herbert? Henry? Hezekiah?

Any idea when the middle initial "H" was first added to the explicative?

[charlie]

24. Brace yourself

for a groaner...

I'd heard it was Harold, as in "Harold, be thy name."

Anyhoo, there's a Wikipedia page on the etymology of JHC:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jesus_H._Christ

[cosmik debris]

25. Times have changed

In the sixties the H stood for Harry (or Hairy). But in the sixties everybody was hairy!

[Sapphocrat]

26. I started saying it as a kid...

... as well as "goddamn!" because it was so taboo (I was raised Catholic). I wasn't trying to shock anybody else, so much as I realized how meaningless a word can be, and I wanted to un-condition myself from my own knee-jerk reaction to it. (Say the word "book" 100 times in a row, and it becomes meaningless, too.)

Now, if you want to eliminate all "name-in-vain" words and phrases from your vocabulary, you'll have to start with "gadzooks!" (IIRC, it has something to do with "God's bones") and "bloody" (referring to the blood of Jesus). I think "zounds!" is another one with Olde or Middle English roots... I'll have to go read my Bill Bryson books again.

Btw, I grew up hearing and using, in my very Italian-Catholic family, "Madonna mia!" with complete aplomb. Of course, it refers to the Virgin Mary.

[Chulanowa]

28. Close...

"Bloody" is actually "By our lady", a sacreligous oath hearkening from Catholic times in England, and "zounds" derives from "god's wounds"

Both of them are attributed to Shakespear trying to use the expletives, but not be too shocking... :)

[Sapphocrat]

29. Oh, thank you!

It's been a while since I read up on this stuff. Do you know where "gadzooks" comes from? Once I get Googling, I will be sidetracked all night. LOL

[Chulanowa]

30. No idea.

For some reason, whenever I hear the word, I think of a box of Willie Wonka gobstoppers. I'm sure the psychologists would have a field day with that word association...

[cain_7777]

27. Cartman once said,

"Jesus Christ on a stick!" I kinda like saying that to people trying to preach to me.