Jesus H. Christ

English Etymology en. An extension of en Jesus Christ with a fantastical middle initial, perhaps derived from a reading of grc ΙΗΣ (sometimes grc ΙΗϹ, using a lunate sigma), a Greek-alphabet abbreviation for Jesus (grc ΙΗΣΟΥΣ) as three initials in Latin letters. See "Christogram" at Wikipedia. The earliest use of the phrase is unknown, although according to Mark Twain (1835–1910) it was already common in the region of Hannibal, Missouri, when he was a boy. Interjection Jesus H. Christ en potentially _ offensive An expression of surprise, shock, etc. en Jesus Harold Christ en Christ almighty#Interjection ; good God#Interjection ; Jesus, Mary and Joseph#Interjection en 20 May 1857 Swearing as one of the Fine Arts James T. Hildreth; David Nelson Richardson Daily Iowa State Democrat 2 184 Davenport, Ia. George R. West [3] https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/292034580/ 2 2641-631X 8780412 In passing along the street we heard a man, who was expressing a very decided opinion, say, “By Jesus H. Christ it is so.” Since that time we heard an individual who had “stubbed his toe” against the end of a plank cry, “By John D. God, I’ll sue the City.” en 1980 June Dan Aykroyd; John Landis The Blues Brothers Universal Pictures Jake: Yes! Yes! Jesus H. tap-dancing Christ, I have seen the light! en 1985 Andrew Bergman Fletch Universal Pictures Stanton Boyd: Jesus H. Christ on a popsicle stick. First of all... Alan Stanwyk does not own one single share of stock. en 2004 James McManus Positively Fifth Street http://www.amazon.com/gp/reader/0312422520/ref=sib_vae_pg_306/102-5475053-6116923?%5Fencoding=UTF8&keywords=jesus%20h%20christ&p=S08T&twc=1&checkSum=68EDgXNssu6uwjpsOhdtj2ePQFB%2FApJwYJKoQRANvAk%3D#reader-page “I’m gonna get outta their way,” he mutters, then snorts without mirth. “All I had were jacks.” We believe him, of course. What are jacks, after all, once Beelzebub and Jesus H. Christ get involved? en 2004 Marsha Moyer The Last of the Honky-tonk Angels http://books.google.com/books?ie=UTF-8&hl=en&vid=ISBN0060081643&id=QqyJBs5EV-4C&pg=PA170&lpg=PA170&sig=-o-MIrjiHwZX6YeapDnX7MnXoto “Jesus H. Christ on the cross,” he said. He caught my reflected gaze and held it. “How long have you known about this?” en Usage notes Potentially offensive to devout Christians, stemming from the taboo against Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain uttering in vain the name of God, of which Jesus Christ is the second person of the Holy Trinity. References Cassidy, Frederick G., 1995. "More on Jesus H. Christ," American Speech 70:370. Smith, Roger, 1994. "The H of Jesus H. Christ," American Speech 69:331-335. Why do folks say "Jesus H. Christ"?, from The Straight Dope Explanation from WorldWideWords by Michael Quinion Harold be thy name!