gosh, golly, jeez and jeepers

gosh [euphemism for God] (1757)
used as a mild oath or to express surprise.

golly [euphemism for God] (1775)
used as a mild oath or to express surprise.

jeez [euphemism for Jesus] (ca 1900)
used as a mild oath.

jeepers [euphemism for Jesus]
jeepers creepers [euphemism for Jesus Christ] (1927)
used as a mild oath.

EDIT:

gee2 [euphemism for Jesus] (1895)
used as an introductory expletive or to express surprise or enthusiasm
gee whiz interj (1885): GEE

Source: Webster’s Ninth New Collegiate Dictionary

. . . Wally...

Cult TV - A Viewer Guide to the Shows American can't Live Without
Article by John Javna, published in 1985

Main Article
The "golly-gee" world of Leave It to Beaver is vintage white-bread America: our ‘50s fantasies were preserved forever in this series. Ward, June, Wally, and Theodore "Beaver" Cleaver lived in suburban Utopia, in a perfectly arranged household where Dad worked, Mom cooked, and the kids were as wholesome as Wheaties. It seemed similar to other 50 sitcoms, but Beaver had an important difference. In this show, TV looked at children as complete human beings, with their own needs, and personalities, independent of their parent’. What’s more, those parents were imperfect, just like in the real world. Father didn’t always know best on Beaver; though Ward’s advice to this boys sounded wise, it often went awry. But the boys took this in stride, and he remained their number one adviser. June wasn’t big in the wisdom department; she was too busy in the kitchen, fixing cookies and milk. Beaver’s life was centered on his family. But it also encompassed the world outside. He and Wally hung out with Larry, Whitey, Gilbert, and Lumpy. And Eddie, the two-faced jerk who kept this show from turning into pure molasses. Viewers got to know Beaver’s teachers at Grant Avenue Elementary and local characters like Gus, the old coot at the fire station. Mayfield was neat, self enclosed society where people where naturally nice (not counting Eddie) and problems were never too painful - the kind of America we believed in at Beaver’s age and still dream about.

Sidebars:
Half-hour sitcom. CBS/ABC. First aired Oct 4th, 1957. Last show: Sept 12, 1963. Never ranked in the Top 25 shows of a year.

Milestones: The first family sitcom that deal with life from a kid’s point of view. To many fans, it’s the ultimate portrayal of life in white, suburban America in the 50’s. Background: As more American families joined the baby boom, sitcoms featuring young nuclear families came into their own. In 1957, Danny Thomas and Father Knows Best cracked the top 25 for the first time. In 1958, The Donna Reed Show debuted, and the Real McCoys was in the Top 10. In 1959, Dennis the Menace was #16. Beaver, though not as successful in the ratings, was part of the family trend. First: The first sitcom named after a baby boomer; the first toilet ever shown on TV

I also ran into a church using Beaver's famous line as a slogan for a series of sermons . . . ?

I am feeling as if I am treading a fine line here. Initially my intention was to make others aware of what these words mean, but now find myself wondering if by "advertising" them, they are being put into peoples consciences . . .

Last night I had dinner with a person that I had never met before, and in almost every other sentence she used one of these words. While I am sure that she did not know the meaning (isn't it interesting how we have been tricked into using these words without knowing their meaning?), I did - and every time I heard it, it was as blasphemy against the name of my precious Saviour. What is worse, is that because of the other people present, I did not correct her - and I am now left wondering if I should have said something.

It was only a couple of years ago that I found out what these words mean - I was horrified and felt great sorrow to know that all of these years I have been taking the Lord's name in vain.

And then recently I learned even more about taking the Lord's name in vain - oh the things we do in the face of our awesome God.

... you need to get a life!

So that is why He wanted me to have dinner with these people. Oh Lord, why am I so very slow - and here I am complaining when I should be rejoicing!

Thank you Rivqah!

Is it of importance to get everyone aware that the definitions of these words are euphemisms for the Lord's name?

It is not important until it is understood by the one who says these words that they are taking the Lord's name in vain. Very simply put, "gosh, golly, jeez and jeepers" mean nothing of themselves. It is not until a meaning of vulgarity is contextualized synonomously with these that it becomes a burden to speak them.

It is no different than eating food sacrificed and/or offered to idols. Eat it until someone tells you it is sacrificed and/or offered to idols. Yet, not for your sake but for other's sake.

This is not unlike the terminology of the word "gay." Somehow it went from meaning "happy" to "homosexual." Yet, even now there are still people who use "gay" to express "happiness" rather than anything vulgar or offensive to God.

In my own experience I have come to the same conclusion with words like these being euphemisms for the Name of God, but I was not aware of "gee" or "golly" or "jeepers" in that same connotation.

Let everything be judged according to the heart, not the satanic hijacking of the common english language. Just as we are to be careful not to cause our brothers and sisters to stumble by our food likewise we are not to cause them to stumble by making a point of nonsensical words like these being a direct curse against God. This is bordering a delicate balance between legalism (adding the burden of external practices) and desiring to be wholly sanctified unto the Lord.

If it is your conviction to instruct others with this knowledge, please, do so with all gentleness and care. Not in terms of "this is an abomination" but rather for bringing a light and easy correction as to those who are unaware that it should be avoided.

[b]Romans 14[/b]
11. For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.
12. So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.
13. Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother's way.
14. I know, and am persuaded by the Lord Jesus, that there is nothing unclean of itself: but to him that esteemeth any thing to be unclean, to him it is unclean.
15. But if thy brother be grieved with thy meat, now walkest thou not charitably. Destroy not him with thy meat, for whom Christ died.

. . . not the satanic hijacking of the common english language.

(1) gee – [origin unknown] (1628)
used as a direction to turn to the right or move ahead

(3) gee – (1926)
1:the letter g
2[grand] slang: a thousand dollars

Satan delights in us using these words in ignorance. This is why we must pray for the Lord to show us our sin - so that we do not remain ignorant - so that we do not misrepresent Him to others - so that we do not spew forth garbage - so that we can repent and turn from our wicked ways. Light must be shown forth on these things, to expose them for what they are - an abomination in the face of the Lord for we have sinned against Him, and Him alone.

We have defined these words, and if we use them, it is our responsibility to know their meaning.

"Ignorance is the nurse of impiety."

Attributes of God - Thomas Watson

Hi everyone,

I was reading some of the sermons from solitary confinement by Pastor Wurmbrand last night and I was shocked as he mentioned some of the phrases that missionaries had used to translate phrases from the Bible into the native language because there was no equivalent otherwise in the language.

I thought of this because I agree with boG, in that it seems to me also that we need to be carefull in this case to not create an offense in someone's conscience.

God must certainly be aware of the expressions of every person's heart.

EDIT: I'd like to emphasize that I don't want to suggest these words are appropriate to use; but that I think we should [b]be carefull[/b] how we handle things like this.

EDIT: I'd like to emphasize that I don't want to suggest these words are appropriate to use; but that I think we should be carefull how we handle things like this.

Exactly ChrisJD, just because Merriam-Webster or Dictionary.com has defined these words as slang for "Jesus" or "God" does not mean that the average Christian is using them in the same vain and abusive manner.

I am not trying to discourage you, HeartSong, from bringing to light this understanding. [b]However, I am definitely trying to calm you down from using such strong language[/b].

If you approach people by saying, "when you use words like 'golly' and 'gee' you are cursing God to His face! You are ignorantly misrepresenting God and His Christ and spewing forth garbage! Repent, ye sinner! Repent from your wicked ways!"

You are going to turn people off and completely miss the point of the gospel message, especially concerning the maturing Christian life.

It is very simple, whatever is not of faith is sin. If you define these words to be vulgar then be true to your faith and conscience and personalize for yourself that these words are unclean.

If you come across anyone who calls themselves a Christian, and they often say, for example, "gee", and then you ask them, "do you know that 'gee' is a euphemism for 'Jesus'? And they say, "yes, I knew that." Then you shall have reason to give them a slap and rightly bring such strong language as "sin" and "using the Lord's name in vain."

If they say rather, "No, it is just an expression of surprise." Then handle the situation as it is -- not a sin and not using the Lord's name in meaningless jargon. Give them a simple "this is what those petty words actually mean, according to the dictionary ... etc."

As for the dinner party and the lady in question that brought this topic to mind, if she is not a born-again Christian it will not be a very convincing gospel statement to tell her she is sinning and going to hell for saying "gosh, golly, jeez and jeepers." She is going to hell because by the grace of God she needs a new heart not because of immature euphemisms that she may or may not understand to be blasphemy.

That is really the whole point. Keeping to the true heart and spirit of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Ignorance is neither a sin nor does it condemn anyone; but the Light that shines in the darkness that one despises, this is their sin and condemnation.

I have thought about the use of disguised swearwords recently. Not matter how cleverly Satan disguise them they are still swearwords. When we reduce it to them to core, they express blasphemy and uncleanliness, condemnation, arrogance, and rebellion. When we swear we take the place of God in judgement over others. When Peter denied Jesus he swore.

I cannot play the role of the Holy Spirit to convict everyone, but this I can say:

Mat 5:8
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.

If you want to see God clearly, you must rid yourself of anything unclean. Compromise in this area will definitely blurr your vision.

Ps24:3
3 Who may ascend the hill of the LORD ?
Who may stand in his holy place?
4 He who has clean hands and a pure heart,
who does not lift up his soul to an idol
or swear by what is false.

Mat 5
34But I tell you, Do not swear at all: either by heaven, for it is God's throne; 35or by the earth, for it is his footstool; or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the Great King. 36And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make even one hair white or black. 37Simply let your 'Yes' be 'Yes,' and your 'No,' 'No'; anything beyond this comes from the evil one.

I am far from clean, but swearing, even if it is just in thought always shows my unspirituality. I cannot praise God in the same sentence without renouncing the previous word or thought.

narrowpath

It is not meant as literally gain your own life, it's merely a slang here in America...

To most people it means nothing.

But Krispy, do you not see that that is exactly the problem? It is not slang - it is literal - you are saying what is in your heart. This is why America is coming under judgment. We are flying under the banner of America, instead of God and using it as an excuse for our misbehavior.

If you read the post about the description of "Leave it to Beaver," you are reading about the breakdown of family in America. On the surface, it all sounds wonderful to the ear, but look below the surface and you will see the seed of what had led to blatant homosexuality. Do you not think that the writers of the show did not know the definition of the key slogan? Do you not realize that Satan knows that if we partake of it, it will become common place. Do you not think that Satan delights in God's creatures blaspheming Him to His face?

How do you react on the inside when your child calls you a swearword - even in ignorance? How would you feel if they cursed your name?

Our Lord will forgive us if we repent - but if we do not even think it is a sin, how can we repent?