"Jesus" vs. "oh my God"

Yes,It surely has a stronger meaning.

Hi,
There are a lot of expressions like that. Some are more common than others, and how strong they sound depends on how "upsetting" the words you choose are. Here are some examples:

***!
Gosh!

Oh my ***!
Oh my gosh!
Oh my Goodness!
Jesus!
Jesus Christ!

Kooyeen may be right about the ubiquitousness making "oh my ***" more acceptable, but it definitely is, at least where I live (a smallish town in the American South). For example, in community theater plays, which we try to keep family-friendly, an "oh my ***" in the script creates no fuss at all, but a "Jesus" is a big deal and a "Jesus Christ" bigger still, to the point that you risk audience m

Delmobileto the point that you risk audience members writing letters of complaint if it is heard from the stage. (Really!)

Complaining about taking the name of *** in vain?

Yes, I agree completely with Del.

If my kids say "Oh my ***!" I give them a look that says "Choose another way to say that" but if they say "Jesus!" (and WAY worse: "Jesus Chirst!" -- which I have not hear from them yet) then I will SAY something, not just give them "that look."

Grammar GeekIf my kids say "Oh my ***!" I give them a look that says "Choose another way to say that" but if they say "Jesus!" (and WAY worse: "Jesus Chirst!" -- which I have not hear from them yet) then I will SAY something, not just give them "that look."

That's interesting, I awlays considered those three expressions as rather inncouous.

Oh GG, that reminds me of a "funny thing my kid did" story. When DS19 was maybe just three, he spilled a cup of milk or juice or something out in the hall. I heard the "splat" and then his little treble voice remarking sadly, in an exact imitation (except of course an octave or so higher) of my own harried, exhausted two-in-diapers voice: "Oh, Jee-sus Cwist." Everyone has that moment when

MrPernicketyThat's interesting, I awlays considered those three expressions as rather inncouous.

What do you think of "goddamit"? Would you give your kids a reproachful look for saying "goddamit" ?


While "****" and "Dammit!" are not bad (though my kids still aren't allowed to say it), "*** **** it!" and "goddmammit" are a lot more offensive.

As I said, "It's up to you", that's what I said.
The only way to learn these kinds of things is to get familiar with English and the American/British culture. In time, learners will start using the vocabulary they have come across most often. They'll tend to imitate the native speakers they consider "role models", it's an automatic psychological process.

KooyeenIn time, learners will start using the vocabulary they have come across most often. They'll tend to imitate the native speakers they consider "role models", it's an automatic psychological process.

Amen.

CJ