2006-10-09 07:13:59 · 4 answers · asked by Anonymous in Education & Reference ➔ Words & Wordplay
Yes, it is a euphemism, but of a particular type called a "minced oath". In this case it is a substitute for "Christ".
Minced oaths are expressions people use as substitutes to avoid uttering some profanity (esp. a religious term, such as the name of God or Jesus) by either substituting another word that sounds partially like the one avoided (esp. by beginning the same way and/or by rhyming). The substitute words may be real words, made up words (like "crikey") or some combination (like "jiminy cricket" for "Jesus Christ").
http://www.takeourword.com/Issue087.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minced_oaths
http://www.randomhouse.com/wotd/index.pperl?date=20000209
A list:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_minced_oaths#Historical_examples
2006-10-09 07:57:36 · answer #1 · answered by bruhaha 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The etymology of the word crikey says it is euphemism for Christ. Such word was first recorded in 1834. The Macquarie Dictionary says the "Crikey!" began life as "a mild oath" in England in1838 .To avoid blasphemy – "crikey" became a substitute for the title of the founder of the Christian faith in the 19th century.
The word crikey got various given meaning . Australian exclamation equivalent to "WOW!" and an exclamation of surprise or bewilderment are just amongst those meanings.
2006-10-09 16:45:55 · answer #2 · answered by ♥ lani s 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
not a euphenism.... more like a catch phrase.
2006-10-09 14:16:14 · answer #3 · answered by samantha h 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
no a catch phrase
S A
2006-10-09 14:18:19 · answer #4 · answered by S A 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋