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gee-whiz

[jee-hwiz, -wiz]
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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.
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Origin of gee-whiz

First recorded in 1930–35

gee whiz

interjection Informal.
  1. gee2.
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Origin of gee whiz

1880–85, Americanism; apparently euphemistic alteration of Jesus, with final syllable replaced by whiz1
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for gee-whiz

Historical Examples

  • Gee-whiz, were those women at Me-Schwad the same women I met on the steamer?

    Looking Back

    Merrick Abner Richardson

  • Gee-whiz, I'm glad the school girls weren't coming along about then.

    Looking Back

    Merrick Abner Richardson

  • Just then the King of Gee-Whiz came by, and chawnced to notice the bubbles.

    Heart's Desire

    Emerson Hough

  • Presently, they came to the place beneath the trees where was situated the great throne of the King of Gee-Whiz.

  • On the morning following this event, the King of Gee-Whiz woke in great good humor.

British Dictionary definitions for gee-whiz

gee-whiz

adjective
  1. informal impressive or amazinggee-whiz special effects
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Word Origin

C20: from gee ²
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Idioms and Phrases with gee-whiz

gee whiz

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]

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The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.