| Slang
of the Week: golly (exclamation)
a word used to show strong emotions, such as surprise, pleasure or fear.
Example:
“Golly,” said Jim, as he fell out of
the boat, “That’s a really big shark.”
Celebrity quote:
“I can't deny that Jerry Springer supposedly beating us didn't affect
me. There was a point where I felt like, golly, you work
so hard, you try so hard and the people say they want meaningful television--and
then Jerry Springer ends up beating you. It was disturbing.”
-American talk show goddess Oprah Winfrey
One thing is certain. No one appearing on the Jerry Springer Show has
ever used this week’s word. While guests on that talk show are regularly
censored for strong language with a bleep sound, golly
is an expression you could use in front of your grandmother. It goes back
to the days (probably before anyone reading this email was born) when
it was considered impolite to say “God!” even if you had just
dropped a hammer on your foot.
Like golly and the more colorful Good golly,
Miss Molly, gosh is also a more polite synonym
for God. Other religious euphemisms include gee
whiz, gee and geez for Jesus
and darn for damn. These days, people
still use those words (I personally say gosh at least
once a day), but watch out - using them a lot can make you sound like
Ned Flanders, the super-religious neighbor on The Simpsons.
What’s new at Slang City?
Need to find yourself a honey-bunny? Take a look at these
real personal ads from the
Boston Phoenix newspaper in REAL ENGLISH. We explain the slang, the romance
is up to you!
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