The use of 'Gosh'...in real life?

[JinglingHellsBells]

I've recently seen posters using this on MN yet in real life I don't know anyone using it in speech.

The only person I know who uses it a lot is my Mum's neighbour, in her late 80s, and even as a child I thought it was quite antiquated and '1950s'.

I simply don't know anyone who says that word now.

(and I'm solidly middle class with educated middle class friends, if that makes any difference.)

Oh golly @CrimeCantCrackItself- I remember my days as a nanny, and yes, those absolute darling to pick up on anything!

I use it too, it's a lovely word. Makes me smile.

35 and I have always said good gosh/goodness/grief

Yes, I use "gosh" and similar so-called "antiquated" terms. I know lots of people who do. Don't see the big deal.

I swear a lot too. (Just not at work - school...)

I use (almost) the full range of expressions here. I also swear like a trooper in the right circumstances.

I use it a lot in real life, always have.
My mum said it and I just picked it up!

I say it all the time. And crikey. I'm 46.

My school (convent) was SO religious that we could not say gosh, cripes, blimey -any of these. As PP says, they are minced oaths and blasphemy. Oddly the nuns didn't really approve of fuck either.

We could say 'uh oh', or if things were really bad, we'd be permitted a 'fiddlesticks'.

Yes, and a long list of other "old fashioned" words ... which actually, I don't think are old-fashioned yet, as I know lots of people who use them.

I use it in situations where Fuck isn’t appropriate. Along with Blimey, Crikey & Wow.

Gosh
Heavens!
Crikey
Splendid
Ghastly
Ludicrous

All in my regular vocab. Dh and friends regularly laugh at the last two. Apparently I’m the only person alive who uses these words. I am also not averse to a jolly good swear. I am 44

I'm 40, I use it a lot! I think it comes from working in high end customer service and not wanting to swear in front of the DC!

I use golly gosh and goodness. Crikey, all the time. I am what people call “posh” though. Hate “ oh my god” DC pick that up at school and I’m trying hard to stamp it out. It’s uncouth.

Gosh
Cripes
Crikey
Giddy as a kipper
Flaming Nora
Heavens
Good heavens
For Pete's sake
Fucksocks

Love and use all of the above.

Someone mentioning "Lumme" really reminded me of the pre-alzheimers version of my Mum (she died 2 months ago) and made me smile, thanks! She was old school and quite a one for golly, lumme, crikey etc. But she would throw in the occasional "bollocks" or "fuck" to be shocking and contemporary.

In the last few years I found myself working with closely with a devout Christian, so I consciously substituted "God" for "gosh" in speech to avoid offending him. I do it in front of children too. Sometimes a crikey slips out.

The patient portal for Great Ormond Street Hospital (where you can view letters and appointments) is called "myGOSH".

Well, a lot of people say it as a replacement for a swear word in front of kids. You can hardly go around effing and blinding in front of young children can you? so you have to find something else to get into the habit of saying instead. I dont see whats so weird about that. I'd find it a LOT more odd if people were saying FUCK ME etc in front of their 3 year old.

I say, "Oh gosh" and I'm definitely not posh or trying to sound posh. I used to say "Oh god" when I was younger but obviously realised this could offend people. It also stops me saying, "Oh shit" which is my preferred but not appropriate saying.

@Kenworthington

Gosh Heavens! Crikey Splendid Ghastly Ludicrous

All in my regular vocab. Dh and friends regularly laugh at the last two. Apparently I’m the only person alive who uses these words. I am also not averse to a jolly good swear. I am 44

I’m pretty much with you. Ghastly is a favourite , as is Sugar and I do say Gosh. Spent a lot of time in the US Bible Belt, and you just don’t swear there.

late 30's working class and northern and i use it all the time

I use it in real life. I am 34.

It’s a nicer word to say with children around.

Can’t always be fuck this, cunt that etc etc

Mid 40’s.
I use it in work because when I say ‘fuck’ it causes people to raise their eyebrows.

I say it a lot. Mid 40s.

I use it in speech, mostly when someone tells me something I am not sure how to respond to.

Me too. I’m 30.

I say it and...
Jings
Crivvens
good heavens
Giddy Aunt
Crikey/cripes/corks
By The Lord Harry (Perisher cartoon in Daily Mirror donkeys years ago)
Good Lord
My word
I say