Green’s Dictionary of Slang

a general and blasphemous oath.

c.1367–86		Langland Piers Plowman (1550) III Dii line 154: Bi Jesus with here jweles, your Justicis she shedeth And lieth ageyne the lawe.
c.1535		R. Copland Hye way to the Spyttel House Bii: Ah jesu mercy, what man coud coniect / The mysery of suche a wretched sect.
1562		Jacke Juggler Bii: I wold not for all England by Jhesu Chryst.
1566		G. Gascoigne (trans.) Supposes II ii: Jesu, what a blockhead thou art!
1567		R. Edwards Damon and Pithias (1571) Fi: James Christe, came euer from a Colier an aunswere so trimme?
1569–70		T. Preston Cambyses D4: But Jesus for want of him how some doo complaine.
1575		‘Mr S’ Gammer Gurton’s Needle in Whitworth (1997) II iv: Now Jesus, Gammer Gurton, what driveth you to this sadness?
1592		Nashe Pierce Pennilesse 37: Jesu! what secret grudge and rancour raignes amongst them.
1619		Rowlands Well met Gossip A3: But Jesu Christ! what is become of Iane?
1676		Etherege Man of Mode III i: Jesu! Madam, what will your mother think is become of you?
1742		Fielding Joseph Andrews (1954) II 161: ‘Pale! Mr. Adams,’ says she; ‘O Jesus!’ and fell backwards.
1768		Proceedings Old Bailey 6 July 245/2: They cried, by Jesus they would have my life if I offered to meddle with any of their bills.
1787		Adventures of Jonathan Corncob 170: By Jasus, said he.
1791		Bon Ton Mag. Mar. 6/2: That is my business, honey; do you eat the bird, and by J---s I’ll find the Bill!
1797		New London City Jester 7: By Jasus I am a lucky fellow.
c.1800		‘Peter Pindar’ ‘Out At Last!’ Works (1801) V 132: And see poor Paddy with his pole! By Jasus now, I’ll twig his jowl.
1815		M. Lewis 6 Dec. Journal of a West India Proprietor (1834) 19: The ship lies on the rock as safe and as quiet, by Jasus, as if she were lying on a mud bank!
1817		Liverpool Mercury 15 Aug. 1/4: Jesus Maria! sher actually got a full view of his star!!!
1825		‘Larry O’Brien’s Escape’ Humorous Songster 5: O by Jasus!
1832		J.K. Paulding Westward Ho! I 107: J---s! that any white man should pity an Injen here on ‘the dark and bloody ground!’.
1842		S. Lover Handy Andy 260: ‘Oh, J---s!’ cried Tom, ‘I’m done!’.
1846		G.W. Harris ‘A Snake-Bit Irishman’ Spirit of the Times (N.Y.) XV Jan. in Inge (1967) 57: Hissing out a ‘Jayzus’ from between his clenched teeth.
1848		G.W.M. Reynolds Mysteries of London II (2nd Ser.) 30: Be Jasus!
1861		(con. 1840s–50s) H. Mayhew London Labour and London Poor I 207/2: Jasus! I’m kilt.
1884		Edinburgh Eve. News 2 June 2/6: Accused then left the bar muttering ‘Jaysus Christ".
1889		Dead Bird (Sydney) 23 Nov. 5/4: ‘They’re off, they’re off!’ by Cheesum rice I wouldn’t give a minute / Of joy like this for twenty years of Heaven.
1913		A. Irvine My Lady of the Chimney Corner 141: ‘Jazus!’ Jamie exclaimed, ‘it’s snowin.’.
1914		R. Tressell Ragged Trousered Philanthropists (1955) 274: Jesus Christ! Is that all!
1917		E. Pound letter Aug. in Paige (1971) 121: crrrrhist jheezus when I think of the hours of boredom I have put up with from people merely because they have in an unguarded and irrecoverable and irresponsible moment committed a good poem, or several!!!!!!!
1918		E. Wilson ‘Death of a Soldier’ A Prelude (1967) 195: Jesus Christ! they might show a little consideration.
1922		Joyce Ulysses 427: Jays, that’s a good one. Glauber salts. O jays, into the men’s porter. [Ibid.] 543: Jesus! Don’t!
1922		(con. late 19C) A. Gonzales Black Border 37: ‘Oh Jesus!’ cried an excited woman.
1927		E.C.L. Adams Congaree Sketches 67: Do Jesus!
1927		in G. Legman Limerick (1953) 293: When moonlight flits / Between her tits, / Jesus Christ, almighty!
1928		E.C.L. Adams Nigger to Nigger 265: Do Jesus: A common exclamation.
1929		W.R. Burnett Little Caesar (1932) 35: ‘Jesus!’, said Tony, ‘he’s looking at us.’.
1932		C. McKay Gingertown 30: I done spoils mah looks and mah life. Jesus Cross! All mah life I got to carry this cross of color.
1932		(con. 1910s) J.T. Farrell Young Lonigan in Studs Lonigan (1936) 6: He said to himself: Gee-zus Christ!
1932		(con. 1919) Dos Passos Nineteen Nineteen in USA (1966) 465: ‘Jesus, the drinks are on us,’ said Larry.
1932		‘William Hatfield’ Ginger Murdoch 95: Kelly, as a true son of Erin, loved a brawl [...] ‘Be jaze, Ginger, and I’d like to have been here an’ seen ye!’.
1934		H. Roth Call It Sleep (1977) 298: ‘Cheesis! Dey’re sling-shootin’ it!’ he shouted excitedly. ‘Cheesis!’.
1937		E. Anderson Thieves Like Us (1999) 11: What did you-all see? [...] Jesus Christ.
1938		G. Kersh Night and the City 115: Jesus! You dance well.
1938		J. Weidman I Can Get It For You Wholesale 46: Jesus Christ alive!
1939		H. Miller Tropic of Capricorn (1964) 255: If I were running the boat [...] it would be gayer, by Jesus!
1940		D. Maurer Big Con 115: ‘Jesus Christ!’ howled C—, ‘that’s my joint.’.
1948		(con. 1944) N. Mailer Naked and Dead 99: ‘Jesus,’ he laughed.
1948		D. Dodge Bullets For The Bridegroom (1953) 6: ‘Jesus, he saw you guys working, didn’t he?’ weasel-face said plaintively.
1950		A.B. Guthrie Way West 230: ’Member that nigger you had to rub out [...] dast him to irons and give him the best of it and kilt him afore his finger could bend. Waugh and Jesus Christ! Them was the fat days .
1951		(con. 1870s) S. Longstreet Pedlocks (1971) 64: Black smoke! Jesus Priest, look at the smoke!
1951		S.H. Bell December Bride 265: ‘Jasus, boss,’ he whispered.
1952		M.F. Caulfield Black City 40: Bijasus, you’re awfully holy.
1953		P. Closterman (trans.) Big Show 70: ‘Jees!’ he said, roaring with laughtrer.
1954		M. Millar Wives & Lovers (2016) 171: ‘Jesus Murphy!’.
1959		W. Burroughs Naked Lunch (1968) 101: Jeeeeeeeeeeeeesus!
1959		C. Himes Crazy Kill 25: Jesus Christ, you didn’t have to kill him!
1961		(con. 1930s) D. Behan Teems of Times and Happy Returns 143: It was a terrible sin altogether to shout Jasez!
1961		R.S. Close With Hooves of Brass 152: ‘I’m done...! Jesus! Me chips are in...!’.
1965		(con. 1940s) B. Behan Confessions 26: ‘Jesus,’ I replied, ‘I’ve not opened my fughing mouth.’.
1965		L. Dunne Goodbye to The Hill (1966) 10: Roy! He’s behind you! Jeysus, look out!
1966		R. Stone Hall of Mirrors (1987) 315: By Jesus, you have started [...] a race riot in this goddam place.
1967		L. Bruce Essential Lenny Bruce 15: Jesus Christ! Is that cruel.
1969		‘Iceberg Slim’ Pimp 19: Jesus! It was hot in that little shop.
1970		C. Brown Down All the Days 46: ‘Weeping Jesus!’ said Father in disgust.
1975		D. Goines Inner City Hoodlum 180: ‘Jesus!’ Baker exclaimed when the sight of the man’s smashed skull hit him.
1975		K. Willey Ghosts of the Big Country 133: But by Jesus, mate, wasn’t it good while it lasted!
1975		L. Rosten Dear ‘Herm’ 5: Je-zus, O.K.
1978		L. Kramer Faggots 281: Jesus Christ, I probably saved his life.
1979		J. Morrow Confessions of Proinsias O’Toole 80: Jeezus! Am I glad to hear your voice!
1983		W. Trevor Fools of Fortune 211: Jays, will you look at the cut of Quinton?
1984		P. Slabolepszy ‘Over the Hill’ Mooi Street (1994) 67: Jissis, why you got to waste your time with the kid’s stuff?
1986		S. King It (1987) 202: ‘Lookit that gut!’ Henry cried in amazed disgust. ‘Jesus-please-us!’.
1987		T. Wolfe Bonfire of the Vanities 102: Jesus Christ, here comes the bag lady.
1988		(con. 1940s) C. Bram Hold Tight (1990) 59: Jesus peezus!
1988		S. King Tommyknockers (1989) 84: Jesus-jumped-up-fiddling-Christ!
1989		T. Blacker Fixx 305: Then he talked. Jesus, he never stopped.
1993		Tarantino & Avery Pulp Fiction [film script] 53: Make a beeline. Jesus Christ!
1994		(con. 1960s) G. Byrne Pictures in my Head 20: Jasus, he’s a great drawer.
1994		G. Disher Crosskill [ebook] ‘I can’t stand these chinks [...] Jesus Christ, the Department’s even got me down for a community policing course’.
1996		P. Temple Bad Debts (2012) [ebook] ‘A cop shot him dead’ [...] ‘Jesus [...] I didn’t make the connection’.
1997		N. Barlay Curvy Lovebox 109: Jesus guy.
1997		C. Hiaasen Lucky You 5: Jesus Willy Christ.
1998		D. Clowes Ghost World 17: Jesus ...
2000		C. Cook Robbers (2001) 75: Jesus Christ, man, take it easy.
2000		Guardian Weekend 15 Jan. 16: ‘Yesus,’ Wolter Huisman muttered.
2000		N. Griffiths Grits 10: A drink more beer (Jesus that poitín).
2000		Z. Smith White Teeth 24: Ah, Jaysus, you’re not listening.
2002		W. Fiennes Snow Geese (2002) 129: Jesus Christ! What the holy smoke are they up to?
2001		S. King Dreamcatcher 7: Pretty soon I’m gonna have a problem the way Pete’s got one. Jesus-Christ-bananas.
2002		D. Shaw ‘Dead Beard’ at www.asstr.org 🌐 ‘Jesus, but you really come out with a load of jackson pollocks!’ Monica snapped.
2006		C. Miller Salt and Honey 37: Jissus, his leg hurt.
2008		D.R. Pollock ‘Real Life’ in Knockemstiff 7: ‘Hold on there, buddy. Jesus, I don’t mean nothing’.
2010		K. Richards Life 384: All I hear is Freddie Sessler in the back going, ‘Jesus Fucking Christ!
2015		S. King Finders Keepers (2016) 78: Morris thought, oh Jesus, this is what I get.