gee whiz

¹

interjection

, Informal.

1. gee ².

gee-whiz

²

[ jee-hwiz, -wiz ]

adjective

, Informal.

1. arousing or characterized by surprise, wonder, or triumphant achievement:

   a gee-whiz technology; a gee-whiz reaction to the sight of the Grand Canyon.

gee-whiz

adjective

1. informal.
   impressive or amazing

   gee-whiz special effects

Word History and Origins

Origin of gee whiz¹

1880–85, Americanism; apparently euphemistic alteration of Jesus, with final syllable replaced by whiz ¹

Origin of gee whiz²

First recorded in 1930–35

Word History and Origins

Origin of gee whiz¹

C20: from gee ²

Idioms and Phrases

An expression of surprise, dismay, or enthusiasm. For example, Gee whiz, Dad, I thought you'd let me borrow the car , or Gee whiz, they finally won the Series! This term is thought to be a euphemism for “Jesus Christ.” [ Slang ; 1870s]

Example Sentences

As archetypically “presidential” as Mitt Romney seemed, his perfectly square, gee whiz speech style was part of what did him in.

From The Daily Beast

That was the era of airy elegance and feeble clown shows, of yuck-yuck punchlines and toothy performers saying "Gee whiz!"

From The Daily Beast

Gee whiz, O.J., couldn't you have just been boring like most athletes and almost all celebrities?

From The Daily Beast

We lit our pipes and strolled over in silence to the men's quarters, and it was his odd Canadian expression "Gee whiz!"

From Project Gutenberg

Monday is meatless and Tuesday is dry,Wednesday is sugarless, too, gee whiz!

From Project Gutenberg

Gee whiz I hate to think of the Yanks comin runnin over there with felers like that among them.

From Project Gutenberg

Gee whiz, and he wares white wings dose he, and jumps up in the air.

From Project Gutenberg

Gee whiz, I couldn't blame him, especially on account of the high cost of living.

From Project Gutenberg