gee whiz

¹ American  

interjection

Informal.

1. gee.

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gee-whiz ² American  

[jee-hwiz, -wiz] / ˈdʒiˈʰwɪz, -ˈwɪz /

adjective

Informal.

1. arousing or characterized by surprise, wonder, or triumphant achievement.

   a gee-whiz technology; a gee-whiz reaction to the sight of the Grand Canyon.

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gee-whiz British  

adjective

1. informal impressive or amazing

   gee-whiz special effects

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gee whiz Idioms  

1. An expression of surprise, dismay, or enthusiasm. For example, Gee whiz, Dad, I thought you'd let me borrow the car, or Gee whiz, they finally won the Series! This term is thought to be a euphemism for “Jesus Christ.” [Slang; 1870s]

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Etymology

Origin of gee whiz¹

1880–85, apparently euphemistic alteration of Jesus, with final syllable replaced by whiz ¹

Origin of gee-whiz²

First recorded in 1930–35

Example Sentences

I said, gee, whiz, I mean, I thought, I thought, that the world would come to an end.

From Scientific American • Apr. 6, 2023

It seems fleeting at first, but gee whiz — it actually works out for these two!

From Washington Post • Jul. 29, 2019

In all of those towns, and this was way pre-Trump, I think the main thing that struck us, after we got over the kind of gee whiz factor.

From Slate • May 2, 2018

You know it is interesting, somebody came up to me and said the other day, gee whiz, The New York Times and other people, you know other groups, had you down at 1 percent.

From New York Times • Mar. 23, 2017

I don't lose mine much, but gee whiz, I mislay it sometimes.

From Roy Blakeley's Camp on Wheels by Hastings, Howard L. (Howard Livingston)