why do people say oh my gosh intead of god what does it mean
2007-06-05 07:31:01 · 8 answers · asked by meygan 2 in Education & Reference ➔ Words & Wordplay
Taking the lord's name in vain was taken literally for awhile so using the word as part of expletive was considered impolite and against one of God's commandments.
2007-06-05 07:41:46 · answer #1 · answered by gregory_dittman 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Don't know but we don't say it over here (England). Sounds a bit bent to me. In England we say f*cking hell. Don't listen to quatt maybe in his happy little part of England it is but I haven't heard anyone use the word gosh frequently. Or God for that matter. It is usually "what the f*ck" or "that's f*cked up" or the first one I told you or "no f*cking way". Usually the F word is involved a lot. People who don't swear say OH MY GOSH. Everyone I know swears but hey each to their own.
2007-06-05 14:34:59 · answer #2 · answered by Open your eyes 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
'Gosh' is a word often heard here in England. It is a mild euphemism for 'God' which, around the middle of the last century, was classed as a mild swear word when used in that context. The word 'gosh' crept in as a substitute that was suitable even for children to use. It was featured heavily in children's books by authors such as Enid Blyton and also featured heavily in Middle/Upper class families prior to WW II. The word was used as an exclamation or interjection and 'God' could then be used in such inoffensive phrases as 'Praise be to God'.
2007-06-05 15:14:37 · answer #3 · answered by quatt47 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
It's just a superstition. People think it's bad to say god da----, so they made up a word that sounds similar to use instead. I've heard gosh darnitt, dag nammit. Cheese and crust instead of Jesus Christ. The language is full of these faux cuss words.
2007-06-05 14:40:52 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
It's a polite version of "Oh, my God."
There are many words and phrases that have developed over the years to try and minimize blaspheming.
In England they have the Cockney phrase "Cor blimey!" which is just a diminished version of "God, blind me!"
2007-06-05 14:36:16 · answer #5 · answered by rbanzai 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Apparently it originated in 1757, and it is an altered pronunciation of God. It probably comes from "by gosse" (mid-16c.).
2007-06-05 14:38:07 · answer #6 · answered by hana_florencia 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
It is what is called a "softened euphemism", like "darn" or "fudge" as opposed to their more risqué counterparts...a way to swear without actually swearing, or in this case to "take the Lord's name in vain" without actually doing so.
2007-06-05 14:35:28 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
It's because people who believe in the invisible man that lives in the sky do not want to piss him off.
2007-06-05 14:40:12 · answer #8 · answered by Newport Bar Guy 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋