# Is the expression "Gee" short for "Jesus"?
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-expression-gee-short-for-jesus/164216
**Category:** Factual Questions
**Created:** [March 26, 2003, 4:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-expression-gee-short-for-jesus/164216 "2003-03-26T04:13:24Z")
**Posts on this page:** 7
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@Hermann\_Cheruscan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hermann_Cheruscan)
#### Post date: [March 26, 2003, 4:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-expression-gee-short-for-jesus/164216/1 "2003-03-26T04:13:24Z")
?
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### Author:  [@GrinnaGirla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GrinnaGirla)
#### Post date: [March 26, 2003, 4:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-expression-gee-short-for-jesus/164216/2 "2003-03-26T04:30:31Z")
Not really sure, but my parents assumed “gee” and “geez” to be short for Jesus.
We were allowed to say neither when I was growing up.
Then again, we also weren’t allowed to say “I hate you”, “shut up” or use “butt”. Believe it or not, it actually lasted until I was in about 4th grade.
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### Author:  [@dman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dman)
#### Post date: [March 26, 2003, 4:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-expression-gee-short-for-jesus/164216/3 "2003-03-26T04:32:24Z")
I believe so.
The full “Gee-wizz” is too.
In intent and function, as a euphamism for a proscribed cuss-word, but with the same vocal shape.
Compare (English English)
blooming:bloody
heck:hell
darn:damn
etc etc. There must be an online dictionary somewhere nearby…
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### Author:  [@samclem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/samclem)
#### Post date: [March 26, 2003, 4:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-expression-gee-short-for-jesus/164216/4 "2003-03-26T04:37:19Z")
“Gee” as short for Jesus, Jerusalem, Jehoshaphat, is cited in print from 1851. And that particular cite was a euphemism for Jesus.
“Jeez” can be found in 1830.
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### Author:  [@slipster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/slipster)
#### Post date: [March 26, 2003, 5:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-expression-gee-short-for-jesus/164216/5 "2003-03-26T05:07:05Z")
It is generally assumed that “gee” and “gee whiz” derive from “Jesus”. As I believe Cecil once noted, “Judas Priest” is apparently a euphemism for “Jesus Christ”. During an angry declaration in The Great Dictator, Charlie Chaplin says “Cheese 'n Crackers”, a now rarely-used euphemism for “Jesus Christ”. The rarely-heard “for cry-eye” (I used to hear that one as a kid in the 60s) apparently comes from “Christ”. And, of course, “gosh” and the “goodness” in “for goodness sakes” seems to come from “God”.
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### Author:  [@slipster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/slipster)
#### Post date: [March 26, 2003, 5:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-expression-gee-short-for-jesus/164216/6 "2003-03-26T05:11:23Z")
It is generally assumed that “gee” and “gee whiz” derive from “Jesus”. As I believe Cecil once noted, “Judas Priest” is apparently a euphemism for “Jesus Christ”. During an angry declaration in The Great Dictator, Charlie Chaplin says “Cheese 'n Crackers”, a now rarely-used euphemism for “Jesus Christ”. The rarely-heard “for cry-eye” (I used to hear that one as a kid in the 60s) apparently comes from “Christ”. And, of course, “gosh” and the “goodness” in “for goodness sakes” seems to come from “God”. “Darn”, “dang”, and the old-fashioned “dag-nabbit” all apparently relate to “damn”.
This process applies not only to profanity, but to obscenity besides: hence “fudge” and “sheesh”.
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### Author:  [@Motog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Motog)
#### Post date: [March 26, 2003, 5:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-expression-gee-short-for-jesus/164216/7 "2003-03-26T05:44:54Z")
From [www.m-w.com](http://www.m-w.com)
Main Entry: gee
Function: interjection
Etymology: euphemism for Jesus
Date: 1884
– used as an introductory expletive or to express surprise or enthusiasm