& why is he a jumping?
2006-07-10 05:40:24 · 6 answers · asked by ncman372000 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Yes, but he's not really who is in view. This is a "minced oath" or euphemism, in which "Jehoshaphat" was a substitute for exclaiming "Jesus" (or perhaps "Jehovah") in a profane way.
According to the Oxford English Dictionary and the Random House Historical Dictionary of American Slang the expression was in use in mid-19th century America, one of many colorful/creative euphemisms.
The first recorded instance of the expression "Jumping Jehoshaphat" is in Mayne Reid’s Headless Horseman (1866). But it's probably older.
As for the "jumping" part. The word itself means nothing. But adding it created an alliterative expression which sounds snappier and helped the expression to catch on.
http://www.worldwidewords.org/qa/qa-jum2.htm
2006-07-10 06:57:03 · answer #1 · answered by bruhaha 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
The term Jumping Jehosaphat derives from Joesph Saffer who was the tri-state stacked tire jumping champion for many years in the early part of the 20th century. His reputation was so great that the saying spread from his performances to the general population at large over a relatively short period of time.
2006-07-10 05:49:06 · answer #2 · answered by bonzo the tap dancing chimp 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Jehosaphat is a person in the Bible. Apparently he's mentioned in 2nd Kings, but I haven't found anything further yet. But, pretty good for an atheist, right?
2006-07-10 05:45:07 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
There is nothing new under the sun is what Solomon said Everything comes from the Bible someway somehow
2006-07-10 05:43:18 · answer #4 · answered by lilbaptistdave 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have no idea---it is such a frivalous thing to say--I never thought about it!
2006-07-10 05:43:51 · answer #5 · answered by whynotaskdon 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jehoshaphat
2006-07-10 05:46:46 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋