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What are minced oaths? -

Minced oaths are euphemisms used for profane, blasphemous, or taboo words and expressions.

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How are they formed? -

These terms are deliberately misspelled and mispronounced to avoid the word in question, but express the message all the same.

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How are they formed? -

Rhyme and alliteration are used to remove the objectionable characteristics of the word. E.g. "darn" instead of "damn," or "gosh" instead of "God."

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Where do they come from? -

These indirect expressions are softer than the profane word, but still carry the same intent. We have been using them in the English language ever since the 1500s. Now, let’s take a look at some popular minced oaths.

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Heck -

"Heck" is a popular euphemism for "hell." It’s most commonly used in idioms or as an intensifier.

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Gosh -

The use of this popular euphemism for "God" was first seen in a 1757 play by English dramatist Samuel Foote, called ‘Then there’s the highest – and lowest.’ It’s usually used to express surprise or enthusiasm.

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Darn -

This is a very popular one. "Darn" is a minced oath of "damn." It was first seen in the Pennsylvania Magazine of 1781. "Darn" has many derived terms, including "darn good," "darn it," "darn right," "darn well," and "give a darn."

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Blimey -

The word “blimey” is mostly used to express surprise or excitement. It is believed to be derived from “(God) blind me” or “blame me.”

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Freaking -

Yes, we all know this one. It’s used instead of the f-word. It has many variants, including "effing," "flaming," "flipping," "fricking," and "frigging."

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Crikey -

"Crikey" is used as a substitute for "Christ." It’s commonly used to express astonishment and surprise.

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Geez -

Most of us are familiar with this one. Often used to express surprise or frustration, “geez” is a minced oath for the name “Jesus.” It has other variations, including “gee.”

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For crying out loud -

This expression, which is often used to express frustration or annoyance, is actually a minced version of “for Christ's sake.”

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Son of a gun -

This euphemism, used to express astonishment, anger, or disappointment, is voiced instead of “son of a b****.”

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For Pete's sake -

Once we’re into minced oaths used to avoid blasphemous terms, we also have “for Pete's sake,” which is an euphemism of “for Christ's sake” or “for God's sake.” "Pete," however, can also be a reference to Saint Peter, or indeed an euphemistic variant of “for pity's sake.”

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By George -

This Old English oath comes from "By God," and it’s used to express wonder and zeal. It was commonly used before charging into battle!

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Bloody/bleeding -

These old terms are believed to have originated in “by her lady” and “God’s blood.” They're often used to emphasize something or express anger.

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Holy mackerel -

This term, used to express surprise, is likely an euphemism for “Holy Mary.” Though the reference to the fish itself may be because Catholics were once nicknamed "mackerel snappers" because they’d consume fish on Fridays.

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For goodness' sake -

"For goodness' sake" is yet another minced version of “for Christ's sake.”

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My goodness -

This is yet another minced oath used to express surprise, amazement, or shock, instead of “oh my God” in this case.

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Good gracious -

This expression of surprise is also often used instead of “Oh my God.”

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Holy moley -

“Holy moley” is an euphemism for “Holy Mary,” which is often used to express surprise.

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Golly -

“Golly” is an euphemism for God. It may, however, also be a compaction of “God′s body.”

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Jeepers creepers -

From surprise to annoyance, this minced oath is used instead of “Jesus Christ.”

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Fudge -

"Fudge," as well as "fadge" and other variants, is a minced oath used in place of the f-word.

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Tarnation -

This one comes from “darnation” (as in “darn”), but it’s also influenced by tarnal (from eternal). It’s mostly used in the US in the expression "what in tarnation," as in “what the hell.”

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Shoot -

Americans sometimes opt for "oh shoot" instead of "oh s***!"

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Shut the front door -

This one's used as an expression of disbelief, instead of “shut the f*** up.”

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Cripes -

This euphemism for "Christ" is often used to express surprise or annoyance.

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Stinking -

“Stinking,” which is derived from the Old English word “stincende,” can be used as an euphemistic intensifier. E.g. “You have a stinking attitude.”

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Jiminy Cricket -

This minced oath, usually used to express surprise or annoyance, is another one used instead of “Jesus Christ.”

See also: English words that have a different meaning in other languages

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