Green’s Dictionary of Slang

(US) a mild oath, a euph. for Jesus!

1851		M. Reid Scalp-Hunters II 211: Gee! Jim, look yonder.
1893		S. Crane Maggie, a Girl of the Streets (2001) 4: ‘Gee!’ he murmered with interest, ‘A scrap. Gee.’.
1899		Ade Fables in Sl. (1902) 24: ‘Oh, gee! I was just Thinking,’ replied the Urchin, brokenly.
1900		Conrad Lord Jim 143: ‘Jee!’ he exclaimed, ‘I told him the earth wouldn’t be big enough to hold his caper’.
1901		‘Hugh McHugh’ John Henry 10: Gee! I got to get shaved this evening!
1908		N.-Y. American 2 Sept. in Fleming Unforgettable Season (1981) 202: The Giants wins, b’Gee!
1909		J. Ware Passing Eng. of the Victorian Era 159/2: Jee (American). Oath-like expression. First syllable of Jerusalem. ‘Jee ! You don’t dare to do it!’.
1910		‘O. Henry’ ‘The Fifth Wheel’ in Strictly Business (1915) 63: B’gee, it’s the swellest employment agency I was ever in.
1913		H. Lawson ‘The Kids’ in Roderick (1972) 807: ‘By Gee!’ exclaimed Stinker.
1917		Boy’s Own Paper XL 4 187: ‘Do I know?’ snorted the American. ‘Gee, but I guess if you’d ever heard of Van Dahn of Doreh you’d not ask that.’.
1919		Call & W.A. Sportsman (Perth, WA) 3 Jan. 3/7: ‘Gee!’ he said, and felt proud that he was learning to use slang.
1922		in R. Butterfield Sat. Eve. Post Treasury (1954) 1 July 268: My gee! It’s as hot as ever I felt for this time of year.
1926		Van Vechten Nigger Heaven 195: Gee, how well you bluffed him, Howard!
1928		Capricorn (Rockhampton, Qld) 20 Dec. 19/1: If it is poison, well - by gee! - an antidote’s the thing.
1930		L. Lower Here’s Luck 176: ‘Aw, gee!’ exclaimed George feebly.
1937		D. Fuchs Low Company 13: Well, b’gee, what the hell do you know anyway?
1939		Dandy 8 Apr. n.p.: Gee Dan, we’re in a tough spot.
1947		I. Shulman Amboy Dukes 46: Gee [...] you’re swell.
1948		S.L. Elliott Rusty Bugles II ii: By gee, they’ll have a ruddy jack-up.
1957		‘Nino Culotta’ They’re a Weird Mob (1958) 166: Golly! Gee! I never thought.
1963		A. Baron Lowlife (2001) 120: Gee! [...] I’m sorry, Mr Siskin.
1977		in K. Gilbert Living Black 32: By gee, he gets it easy.
1978		L. Kramer Faggots 258: Gee . . . well, maybe we could do it at Fire Island.
1987		T. Wolfe Bonfire of the Vanities 103: ‘Gee,’ said Kramer, ‘I don’t know why you thought I’d take it personally.’.
1989		M. Walker How to Kiss a Crocodile 27: Gee, there was a lot of lair in them too! They are very quick to show off what they’re made of.
1993		K. Lette Foetal Attraction (1994) 39: Gee [...] no one I know has ever fallen that high.
2000		Indep. Rev. 21 Jan. 11: Oh gee, I wish I’d answered those Vanity Fair questions.
2013		T. Robinson Hard Bounce [ebook] ‘Well, gee golly Hoss, I haven’t started any fights with twelve-year-olds lately’.