# Why Do Folks Always Say Jesus H. Christ? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cecil's Columns/Staff Reports\ **Created:** [January 9, 2009, 9:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-folks-always-say-jesus-h-christ/480511 "2009-01-09T09:54:44Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 1\ **Showing post:** 13
**Author:** ![GreenWyvern](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/greenwyvern/32/2834_2.png) [@GreenWyvern](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GreenWyvern)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2009, 7:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-folks-always-say-jesus-h-christ/480511/13 "2009-01-13T07:43:51Z")
The Christogram (or logo of Christ’s name) **IHC** is an alternative for IHS, and is often found in old churches in the UK. It is a transliteration of the Greek iota-eta-sigma, with the sigma represented by a C rather than an S. See the following examples: [Oxford,Trinity College, Dining Hall](http://www.flickr.com/photos/22274117@N08/2778340663/) [Orchardleigh, St Mary](http://www.flickr.com/photos/22274117@N08/2491978793/) [Earlham Cemetery, Norwich, Norfolk](http://www.flickr.com/photos/lwr/14141655/) [Guy’s Chapel](http://www.flickr.com/photos/yersinia/298439572/) [Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk](http://www.flickr.com/photos/lwr/659425419/) [Byz./Medieval Lady’s Christogram Silver ring on eBay](http://cgi.ebay.com/Byz-Medieval-Ladys-Christogram-Silver-ring-IHC_W0QQitemZ270326713348QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Antiquities?hash=item270326713348&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1205%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A12%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318%7C301%3A0%7C293%3A1%7C294%3A50) [Cross at Grace Cathedral](http://blog.wingerson.us/?p=374) [Church dedication: St Mary The Virgin, Long Stratton, Norfolk](http://www.flickr.com/photos/lwr/2083862248/) [Church dedication: St Peter & St Paul, Lavenham, Suffolk](http://www.flickr.com/photos/lwr/2194319081/) [Church dedication: St Mary the Virgin, Burston, Norfolk](http://www.flickr.com/photos/lwr/1660273496/) There are probably thousands of examples in English churches. It’s very easy to see that this could be taken as standing for Jesus H. Christ. --- _[View the full topic](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-folks-always-say-jesus-h-christ/480511)._