Crikey

Part of speech: interjection

Pronunciation: /ˈkɹaɪki/

Definitions

1. An exclamation expressing surprise, astonishment, or shock at something unexpected or remarkable
2. An informal exclamation used to show surprise, shock, or disbelief regarding an unexpected event
3. A slang term used to convey astonishment or disbelief in response to an unexpected situation or event

Etymology: "Crikey" is a euphemism, a way of blurting out an oath without taking the name of Christ in vain. It most likely stands in for "Christ," with the sound softened into something a Victorian speaker could say in polite company. Its close relatives tell the same story: "criminy" and "cripes" follow the same pattern, and "crivvens," a Scottish cousin, does too. Each one swaps the sacred name for a harmless-sounding syllable that still carries the force of the original oath. Some have suggested that the word preserves "Christ King," but that is a guess rather than an established source, so the Christ euphemism is the safer reading. The word has been recorded since the 19th century, when it appeared as an exclamation of surprise. Its job has barely changed in the intervening years: it still signals a jolt of astonishment, but the religious weight it was built to disguise has long since faded, leaving only the playful sound behind.

Synonyms: wow, golly, goodness