38 votes

Why do people say "Jesus H. Christ," and where did the "H" come from?

8 comments

  1. [2]
    patience_limited
    Link
    This is utterly trivial, served up for the etymology, linguistics, theology, or history fans in the house. Enjoy!

    This is utterly trivial, served up for the etymology, linguistics, theology, or history fans in the house. Enjoy!

    10 votes
    1. aphoenix
      Link Parent
      This was delightful, so any triviality is certainly offset by that. Plus now I can say "Jesus H. Christ" and then in true know-it-all fashion know why we actually say that, which is great.

      This was delightful, so any triviality is certainly offset by that.

      Plus now I can say "Jesus H. Christ" and then in true know-it-all fashion know why we actually say that, which is great.

      5 votes
  2. [4]
    JakeTheDog
    Link
    Neat! I always thought it stood for "Holy".

    Neat! I always thought it stood for "Holy".

    3 votes
    1. [3]
      cfabbro
      Link Parent
      I always thought it was a not-so-subtle way to technically avoid taking the Lord's name in vain. Like, "Oh I didn't mean that Jesus, I meant Jesus H. Christ... a totally unrelated fellow!"

      I always thought it was a not-so-subtle way to technically avoid taking the Lord's name in vain. Like, "Oh I didn't mean that Jesus, I meant Jesus H. Christ... a totally unrelated fellow!"

      4 votes
      1. [2]
        BuckeyeSundae
        Link Parent
        Clearly the H stood for Horatio.

        Clearly the H stood for Horatio.

        1 vote
        1. multubunu
          Link Parent
          Harold. Our Father who art in Heaven, Harold be Thy name...

          Harold.

          Our Father who art in Heaven, Harold be Thy name...

          2 votes
  3. Crocodile
    Link
    That was a great read combining history and etymology (as you stated). Thank you!

    That was a great read combining history and etymology (as you stated). Thank you!

    1 vote
  4. acdw
    Link
    So neat! Also interesting that Barrabas, who JC replaced on the cross, had the same name. I feel like someone could draw a theological something out of that.

    So neat! Also interesting that Barrabas, who JC replaced on the cross, had the same name. I feel like someone could draw a theological something out of that.