Jesus H. Christ

English

Etymology

Unknown. Extension of Jesus Christ with a fantastical middle initial, perhaps derived from a reading of ΙΗΣ (IĒS) (sometimes ΙΗϹ (IĒS), using a lunate sigma), a Greek-alphabet abbreviation for Jesus (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

1. (potentially offensive) Jesus Christ (expression of surprise, shock, etc.)
   • 1980 June, Dan Aykroyd, John Landis, The Blues Brothers, Universal Pictures:

     Jake: Yes! Yes! Jesus H. tap-dancing Christ, I have seen the light!

   • 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.

   • 2004, James McManus, Positively Fifth Street‎^[1]:

     “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?

   • 2004, Marsha Moyer, The Last of the Honky-tonk Angels‎^[2]:

     “Jesus H. Christ on the cross,” he said. He caught my reflected gaze and held it. “How long have you known about this?”

Usage notes

Potentially offensive to devout Christians, for uttering the Lord's name in vain.

Quotations

• For quotations using this term, see Citations:Jesus H. Christ.

Synonyms

• Jesus Harold Christ

Derived terms

• Jesus H. bald-headed Christ
• Jesus H. Christ on a raft

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!