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.)

I never say it, more likely to say fuck. Although try not to round the children (much calmer since I stopped driving which is when I sometimes swore in front of them.
Occasionally say for heaven's sake or for goodness sake but never gosh or golly. My grandmother used to say Mother of God instead of swearing and she was incredibly religious. Is that blasphemous too? I think it sounds better than swearing.

I'm in my late 50s and use gosh, goodness and golly.

I use:
Gosh
Jolly as in jolly good
Golly (when surprised)
Crikey
Goodness me
Cripes
Oh my
Toddle pip sometimes shortened to toodles.
I think my obsessive reading of Enid Blyton has left its mark, I’m 52.

I always assumed - not an English speaker - these words were used to avoid blasphemy (or today insulting other people's religious feelings).

In German it would be for ex. any expression starting in 'Chris' - and ending in 'titürnichzu' or 'tiklötze' etc., to avoid saying Christ.

I use it, I have a lot of American friends who are offended by using god in OMG, etc. So I substitute gosh instead.

Jings

?? Where does than come from? Never ever heard of it.

I say

Gosh
Super (super duper)
Brilliant
Marvellous
Tremendous

Good God
Strewth
God’s Truth
God Almighty
Lord preserve us

But I was brought up very catholic and - it sticks with you - and high functioning autistic ... so speech does sound a bit different at times .

I'm early 40s with teenage and early 20s DC and I say these words a lot..

Gosh
Goodness me
Fabulous
Crickey
Golly Gosh
Yikes
Oopsa Daisy
Wow
Ghastly
Fantastic

I also use:
Cross
Bold
Naughty

I hate swearing which is a big bone of contention between my DH and I as he swears a lot!

@XFPW

Also used to use “oh ma heid” a lot when we lived in Scotland - not so much now.

That brings back some memories ! Suspect you were living where I’m from - that was shouted dozens of times a day at school ... still hear it in the toon now .

I use gosh. And cripes. And splendid. And jolly.
Also fuck. And others! I'm a veritable dictionary of complexity.

I say it. It sounds slightly better than “oh fuck” when I’m in work.

My mum used 'Gordon Bennett' as an exclamation of surprise.

I use it daily. But weirdly I'm not adverse to hard swearing.

I say it. I'm 32.

I've been getting my son who has just turned 7 to say gosh! instead of god! - we're not religious but some ppl don't like it, so.

What's the issue with 'cross'? I say it all the time. What else would you say?

Yeah, I'm quite sweary and this has become one of my words to stop me dropping the f-bomb in front of my little one. That, and "goodness me!".

I say goodness me, or gosh. I dislike swearing, and my 2 year old say goodness me, with the occasional Gosh.

I do - and so do my 20s DDs. My Kiwi husband occasionally mocks, but he has his own turns of phrase.

I also use
Jolly
Golly
My !

My mother used to use ‘Oh, Helen ‘ instead of the Hell’s Bells she really wanted to say. Confused me mightily as my best school friend was Helen .

Oh and Jeepers Malone is another regular here but I have no idea where it comes from

I don't know why ppl don't like "cross" or find it old-fashioned. Again, I don't know what you're supposed to say instead of it when you're a bit cross? Mn doesn't like it, though.

I say it but in work or formal situations - not with my mates

I said 'wowser' on LinkedIn and the person liked my comment. I don't say it in real life tho

I say it quite a lot. I also say "crikey". I'm aware I sound like a twat.

'Cross' is a bit Enid Blyton