Romanian term (edited): \"Sa ma crucesc, nu alta!\"

Other alternatives:

"Crikey!"

"Good grief!"

"Gee!" (US)

"Holy cow!"
"Good heavens/ gracious!"
"Sweet Jesus!"
"Oh, dear!"
"Darn it!"
"For crying out loud!" (this is my favorite :))

1. crickey
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236 up, 44 down
an explicitive to express ones surprise or happiness
crickey mate your pants are on fire
buy crickey mugs & shirts
by Nick Jun 10, 2003 add a video
2. crickey
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237 up, 72 down
a beloved word used by Steve Irwin on several occasions
:(
"Crickey she's a beaut!"
buy crickey mugs & shirts
steve irwin crocodile hunter beaut
by lizzzzy Sep 5, 2006 add a video
3. crickey
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48 up, 116 down
This word originates from using "Christ" as an exclamation
Crickey, that was a terrible accident
buy crickey mugs & shirts
by Kate Oct 27, 2003 add a video

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Note added at 26 mins (2013-04-30 11:48:57 GMT)
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Se foloseşte foarte des la noi, în Anglia!

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Note added at 6 hrs (2013-04-30 18:17:19 GMT)
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Nu este specifică unei zone, ci o expresie generală :folosită peste tot.

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Note added at 1 day21 hrs (2013-05-02 09:08:57 GMT)
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Pentru ambele variante de ortografie a se vedea:
http://en.allexperts.com/q/Etymology-Meaning-Words-1474/Engl...

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Note added at 1 day21 hrs (2013-05-02 09:11:49 GMT)
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Etymology (Meaning of Words)/English Aussie Slang?

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Expert: Ted Nesbitt - 6/16/2005

Question
I have an English friend (London) and an Aussie friend, who both use the phrase "Crickey" or "krichie" as a mild explative.
Yet neither one can spell it for me (those are my attempts).
Can you elucidate on its meaning, and provide an accepted spelling?
Thank you.
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Answer
Carla:

It's spelled so many different ways, I'm not going to attempt listing them all. The most widely accepted form is "Crikey" or "crikey."

The word is frequently used in Australia, but it did not originate there. According to "The Oxford English Dictionary" [OED] -- the multi-volume, "bible" of the world of etymology -- it is a "swear word," meant to replace the actual name of Jesus. It is used in place of "Christ!" or "For Christ's Sake!"

The first WRITTEN usage was in 1838. Of course, it would have been SPOKEN many years before that time.


Here is the entry from the OED:

[As this alliterates with Christ, or L. Christe! it was perhaps originally one of the alliterative or assonant substitutes for sacred names, used to avoid the appearance of profanity.]

An exclamation of astonishment.

1838 Actors by Daylight I. 24 Crikey, oh crikey! How very flat, stale and abominable Seem to me all the acting of this world. 1842 BARHAM Ingol. Leg., Auto-da-fé, It would make you exclaim..if an Englishman, Crikey! 1884 Harper's Mag. Oct. 693/1 Cricky! didn't she go it, though! 1922 JOYCE Ulysses 223 Crickey, is there nothing for us to eat? 1924 D. H. LAWRENCE & SKINNER Boy in Bush 85 Crickey! Stop up another night! It'ud make ye sawney. 1960 J. RAE Custard Boys I. i. 16 Crikey, I thought, he's tough.

*****

Carla --

I have found the word "Crikey" in several slang dictionaries, and some list the variant spellings.
There is a new book called, I think, "Aussie Slanguage," which we do not own. However, if you search the internet for "crikey" and "aussie," you'll get many hits.

The word ORIGINATED in Great Britain. The Australians adopted it:

<http://www.kwikkerb.com.au/auslang.htm>

Crikey! : an exclamation of surprise at something
Cripes! : exclamation of shock or surprise

Ted Nesbitt
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