Jesus H. Christ

American  

interjection

Sometimes Offensive.

1. (used as an oath or strong expression of disbelief, dismay, awe, disappointment, pain, etc.)

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Usage

What does Jesus H. Christ mean? Jesus H. Christ is an interjection typically used to express strong emotions, such as disbelief, shock, or anger. An interjection is a term used to express emotion, usually outside of a sentence. Like most interjections, Jesus H. Christ is commonly used by itself—a person might shout it upon making a shocking discovery, for example. It’s also sometimes used at the start of a sentence, as in Jesus H. Christ, Tim, what were you thinking?Jesus H. Christ refers to Jesus Christ, the central figure of the Christian religion. The terms Jesus Christ, Jesus, and Christ can also be used as interjections in the same way. Such interjections are sometimes considered offensive or blasphemous, especially by people who believe in Jesus. They are typically considered stronger and more likely to be offensive than similar religiously-inspired interjections like oh my god or good lord (though some people also find these objectionable). Example: Jesus H. Christ! This is the dumbest thing I have ever heard in my life!

Etymology

Origin of Jesus H. Christ

An Americanism dating back to 1845–50; the H probably from the Greek monogram for Jesus ( Iēsoûs in Greek), written IHS or IHC, derived from the first three letters of Iēsoûs written in Greek uncial (capital) letters, in which the H (the uncial Greek eta, transliterated as ē, is reinterpreted as the English letter H; Jesus