gee whiz(z, int. orig. U.S.
(dʒiːˈwhɪz)
Also gee whitz, gee wiz, and with hyphen.
[Prob. a corruption of prec. or a euphemism for Jesus!: cf. gee int.2 and whizz, whiz int.]
= gee int.2
| 1885 W. T. Gray Bad Boy at Home 8 (at back) Gee wiz! but they do put on stile in New York. 1888 Judge (U.S.) 1 Sept. 334 Geewhitz! 1904 N.Y. Times 21 Apr. 9 He appeared in the saloon and shouted: ‘Gee whiz! The gas pipes is all leakin'.’ 1908 Westm. Gaz. 9 May 6/1 The ‘Raid on Prosperity’ is what he calls his statement for the defence, and, gee-whiz!..he goes for the Raiders in a way that is positively refreshing. 1940 ‘R. Crompton’ William & Evacuees vi. 164 ‘Gee whiz!’ breathed William in ecstasy. 1957 J. D. Salinger Franny & Zooey (1962) 86 Well, gee whizz. I'm only trying to make polite bathroom talk. |