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ESL forum >
Grammar and Linguistics > Old-fashioned or acceptable?
Old-fashioned or acceptable?
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baiba
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Old-fashioned or acceptable?
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Hi everybody!
I would like a tip from native speakers (or anyone who can help). Is the phrase �Oh, gosh! � used nowadays or is it old-fashioned?
Can you suggest other phrases to use instead of �Oh, gosh�?
Thanks!
Baiba
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24 Mar 2009
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brookee
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Old-fashioned?? My opinion is that "oh gosh" is a term used more by older folks or those that have a particular aversion to using "Oh my G*d!" or "That s*cks!" It was used in a time that everyday language was leaner and cleaner, in my opinion.
"Oh gosh" is one of those oldies but goodies that is slowly being phased out of the language in modern times. Other examples are: "golly", "oh drat," "gee willickers" and "jeepers creepers."
~~Brooke |
24 Mar 2009
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P.Hunt
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It �s used in literature and on television programmes when the writer isn �t allowed to write �Oh s***t �. In my opinion it isn �t used in real life situations very much but your students may encounter it in the before mentioned media. So, yes and no. 
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24 Mar 2009
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brookee
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Yes, P. Hunt, I agree with you.
Additionally, culturally in the U.S, a native English speaker who uses terms like "oh gosh" and the others examples mentioned above might often be coined as a goody two shoes.
~~Brooke |
24 Mar 2009
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Lou2002
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I must admit I never say �gosh � - maybe I would say �you �re kidding?! � or �Really? � or �Wow! � , depending on the situation - or �oh my G*d! � as brookee says if it �s something shocking and I �m talking to a friend. Definitely not gosh though, not even my Mum says gosh, my Granny maybe! Lx
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24 Mar 2009
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Ivona
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Why do you use an asterisk with G*d?? Any particular reason i don �t know of? 
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24 Mar 2009
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Jayho
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Yep it �s old fashioned and often used by the elderley whereas the younger generations use a swear word or slang instead as provided in the previous examples. Students will encounter it in older literature and films. |
24 Mar 2009
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alien boy
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Yes, gosh is old fashioned... but... it can (& frequently) is used in different registers to taboo/swear/profane words.
For example, if you �re at a church cricket game you might say:
"Gosh, so-and-so can really spin that ball"
When talking to your kids you might say:
"Gosh, you �ve got a lot of homework to do tonight"
& there are many more situations where "gosh" is used to intensify a following idea in an inoffensive way but still in a socially fun way.
Just my experience in Aus, anyway.
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25 Mar 2009
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Apodo
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Ivona asks: Why do you use an asterisk with G*d?? Any particular reason i don �t know of?
It �s because it is being used as a swear word in the phrase �Oh my G*d! � and this is considered blasphemous by certain Christians.
But quite a few words of exclamation were originally replacements for religious words eg:
Gosh - God
Gee(s) -from Jesus
Cripes - Christ
much in the same way you will hear the exclamation �Sheesh � to replace �Shit �
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25 Mar 2009
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Caroline565
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Dear Apodo... I��too wondered why you used the asterisk In G*d =God. �I never heard of it being blasphemous to any Christian denomination to say "Oh my God!" �It is never used as a swear exclamation as far as I know. �It �s just what it is ...an innocent exclamation if expressing surprise, shock, fear or whatever...bur never in a blasphemous way and never offensively to anyone. �Just my own opinion from life �s experience. �
In fact the expression "Oh my God " �is a short prayer as far as I know.
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25 Mar 2009
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Ivona
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Hmmm, Caroline, you make more sense than Apodo. I too never heard of it being used as a swear word ... that �s why i wondered.
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25 Mar 2009
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