Word of the day - CRIKEY

The word today is Crikey

Crikey is used mostly by the British but is making in-roads into other Anglicised parts of the world. Its first recorded use was in 1826 and it is unusual in that it seems uncategorised (verb, noun, adjective, etc.), possibly because of  it's vague meaning(s). It's commonly described as an informal British interjection.

I like the word Crikey because it typifies, along with other slang words, the quirky character of truly British people, if I hear these words when travelling abroad they immediately reveal the origin of the speaker.

The etymology of Crikey suggests it to be a contraction of the phrase "Christ Almighty", suggesting its first and original meaning was an expression of shock, fear, surprise, awe and incredulity. The word Gobsmacked could substitute for Crikey, as could Blimey.

Here are a few definitions I found of Crikey.

- To express surprise, speechlessness, incredulity, disbelief, amazement

- To underscore, accentuate, mark or acknowledge an action or mishap

- To express a sense of awe or irony in what is said by another or seen

A word from England, but spreading

Seen someone walk on water or fly unaided? Crikey!

An ugly friend is dating a gorgeous girl?         Crikey!

Someone says you have won a £million. You could respond with Crikey

To any incredulous event or statement or action, you say Crikey

Just by chance I came across this example, when the shock of a British prime minister dumping 7 party members was distilled into crikey; then I found an Australian site actually called Crikey.

There is an index of words of the day.