Why do Brits say oh my giddy aunt?

Giddy Aunts are the keepers of family stories and the tellers of wonderful tales, but what does the phrase “Oh My Giddy Aunt” mean? “Oh My Giddy Aunt!” was a popular English saying early last century, often used to indicate surprise in the days before less genteel expletives became more freely used.

What does my sainted aunt mean?

Filters. (UK) Expression of surprise, contempt, outrage, disgust, boredom, frustration. interjection.

What does my sainted hat mean?

aunt
(Britain) An expression of surprise or alarm.

Is Jeez a bad word?

The term jeez can be used in both negative and positive contexts, but it’s more often used negatively to express frustration with what someone has said or done. Jeez comes from a shortening of Jesus, which makes it a euphemism—a milder way of saying something that may be considered offensive, blasphemous, or harsh.

What does Gah LEE mean?

Gah-lee” is a way of saying “golly” but with country twang. There is usually emphasis on the “gah.” Example: “GAH-lee! I lost my damn wallet.”” /

Who was Billy O?

Billio preached at the United Reformed Church in Market Hill, Maldon, Essex, in and around 1696. He was an enthusiastic ‘hellfire and damnation’ preacher and, given his name and reputation, ought to be a serious contender as the source of the phrase.

What does Geez Louise mean?

exclamation. (also Geez Louise) informal US. Expressing any of a number of feelings or emotions, especially surprise, dismay, or exasperation.

What is the origin of the phrase ‘My Giddy Aunt’?

What’s the origin of the phrase ‘My giddy aunt’? The word giddy has been used to mean mad or stupid since the first millennium. The Old English word gidi derives from the Old Teutonic word for God – gudo. So, those who were labelled giddy were those who were possessed of God.

What is the origin of the exclamations “my aunt” and “My Aunt?

They are extended forms of the exclamation my aunt!, which was used for example by the British novelist, short-story writer and poet Rudyard Kipling (1865-1936) in The Story of the Gadsbys: A Tale without a Plot (Allahabad, India: A. H. Wheeler & Co., 1888): Mrs. G. (piteously).—Oh, don’t make fun of me!

What is the meaning of giddy?

An exclamation of surprise. What’s the origin of the phrase ‘My giddy aunt’? The word giddy has been used to mean mad or stupid since the first millennium. The Old English word gidi derives from the Old Teutonic word for God – gudo.

Who is the giddiest aunt of them all?

Of course the giddiest aunt of them all is the character in Charley’s Aunt – Brandon Thomas’ farce, which was first performed in 1892. In the play Charley Whyckham’s aunt is said to be “from where the nuts come from” (Brazil). The farce revolves around her impersonation by a man, but I can’t find any reference in the play to ‘her’ as giddy.