#shuffim

I really enjoy this question, and I hope you want a sincere answer because you’re getting one!

I first encountered this phrase I think when reading The Secret Life of Bees in 7th or 8th grade, and I simultaneously, instantly loved it and adopted it into personal use. From what I can tell, it’s almost exclusively used in American English.

Now, I am currently hungover and sitting in an airport terminal, trying like hell to leave Las Vegas, and I have neither the energy nor the Wi-Fi capacity to verify any of this, so I’m just going by my common, working knowledge. That being said, I’m 99% positive that no one is entirely sure where it came from. I have seen/heard many posited origins/meanings for that “H.” From some, I’ve heard it purported to stand for “Harold.” …No idea where that comes from. Others suggest that it stands for “holy” or “hallowed.” Which makes slightly more sense. The most reasonable explanation I’ve seen is that it’s a misinterpretation of that Christogram thing (it has a special Latin name I can’t remember, but it’s essentially just a fancy Jesus monogram for if, say, He were to join a sorority and want to put His initials on everything He owned). 

Personally, I have no meaning in mind for that “H.” When I was younger, I thought of it as an indicator, telling people to really stress that last name (Jesus H. Cah-ryst!). Also, I intuitively give different words different feelings, and saying “Jesus H. Christ” (as opposed to just “Jesus Christ”) has more of a southern lilt to me. Not like Southern Gothic but like Southern Folk. Maybe it’s because I’m pretty sure Mark Twain referenced/used it here and there in his work. I don’t know. But I only use it when I have that Deep South/Old New York curve to my thoughts and words. Side Note: I live in Dallas and my parents are from up north, so we, as a family, don’t really have much going on, accent-wise. When I am tired and being lazy with my speech, I will tend towards a southern accent. I didn’t even realize I’d typed it until you messaged me, actually–something I find pretty interesting.

I think people use it more for emphasis than anything else. I, on occasion, like to just say, “Jesus H.!” because I enjoy the informality of it, like we’re pals or like I’m calling a child to dinner. But I don’t know if that’s a common sentiment when people invoke the oath. Probably not.

So there you go! Probably way more of an answer than you wanted, but I have to thank you because you got me thinking about something other than my third cup of coffee or my own human misery as I sit trapped at an airport.Also, I hope you don’t mind that I answered this publicly…I have had terrible luck with tumblr eating my replies when I respond privately.