Jesus H. Christ en · INTJ
Etymology
Unknown. An 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.
Meanings
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(qualifier:potentially offensive) An expression of surprise, shock, etc.
Near-synonyms: Christ almighty; good God; Jesus, Mary and Joseph
“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, James McManus, Positively Fifth Street:In passing along the street we heard a man, who was expressing a very decided opinion, say, “By Jesus H. Christ it is so.” Since that time we heard an individual who had “stubbed his toe” against the end of a plank cry, “By John D. God, I’ll sue the City.”
1857 May 20, “Swearing as one of the Fine Arts”, in J[ames] T. Hildreth, D[avid] N[elson] Richardson, editors, Daily Iowa State Democrat, volume 2, number 184, Davenport, Ia.: George R. West, →ISSN, →OCLC, page [3], column 2:Jake: Yes! Yes! Jesus H. tap-dancing Christ, I have seen the light!
1980 June, Dan Aykroyd, John Landis, The Blues Brothers, Universal Pictures:Stanton Boyd: Jesus H. Christ on a popsicle stick. First of all... Alan Stanwyk does not own one single share of stock.
1985, Andrew Bergman, Fletch, Universal Pictures:“Jesus H. Christ on the cross,” he said. He caught my reflected gaze and held it. “How long have you known about this?”
2004, Marsha Moyer, The Last of the Honky-tonk Angels:
Synonyms
Christ almighty · good God · Jesus Harold Christ · Jesus, Mary and Joseph